Utah Tech women's soccer fell to Grand Canyon 2-1 in its WAC opener on Saturday night at GCU Stadium in Phoenix. 

The Trailblazers took an early 1-0 lead when junior Kyah Le found sophomore Ella Rusick near the top of the 18-yard box. Rusick battled through contact and beat Antelope goalkeeper DeAira Jackson with a diagonal strike to the left side of the net in the fourth minute. 

In the 32nd minute, GCU tied the match as senior Destinee Duran-Wise hit a right-footed strike to the top right of the goal off an assist by sophomore Madison Hamm. 

After the break, the Trailblazers resisted attack after attack with the stalwart defense of junior goalkeeper Brianna Frey who collected nine saves on the night, including four in the second half. 

In the closing minutes of the contest, GCU senior Aleisha Ganief missed a shot on a breakaway one-on-one opportunity with Frey. On the follow through, Ganief collided with Frey and was awarded a penalty kick. Junior AJ Loera buried the PK on the right side to take a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute, providing the game-winning goal for the Antelopes (7-4-1, 1-0 WAC). 

Utah Tech (3-3-4, 0-1 WAC) returns to action next week at Greater Zion Stadium to host Utah Valley in its WAC home opener on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. The match is the first of a three-game homestand for the Trailblazers as Settle U and California Baptist are also both scheduled to come to town.