SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Despite opening the scoring midway through the first half, Glendale Community College ultimately fell to #8-ranked Scottsdale Community College on Saturday evening, 6-1.

Scottsdale generated plenty of chances in the first half, but goalkeeper McKenna Jackson was up to the challenge early on, tipping a shot over the bar in the fourth minute and getting some help in the first half as the Artichokes had a ball hit the post in the sixth minute and off the cross bar later on. Limiting Scottsdale to mostly long-range efforts on goal, the match remained 0-0 until a long throw from Linsey Medina in the Scottsdale final third caused confusion and the ball bounced to Mia Robles, who knocked it in from six yards out to give the Gauchos a 1-0 lead.

That advantage proved to be short-lived though. Scottsdale's Ava Fike answered back with a solo effort just two minutes later, weaving through the Glendale back line and picking out a corner to knot the score at 1-1. Before the half-hour mark, the Artichokes were awarded a penalty on incidental contact in the box, with Emma Olcan converting from the spot to put Scottsdale in front, 2-1, at the intermission.

The Artichokes came out strong after halftime, scoring twice in the first three minutes to take a 4-1 lead. Scottsdale notched two more goals as the half progressed, in spite of a red card issued midway through the half that left it down a player for more than 20 minutes.

Jackson finished the night with 11 saves in goal for the Gauchos. Damaris Samora and April Ramos had two shots apiece.

Now 5-5-0 on the season, Glendale has a huge week ahead with back-to-back matches on Tuesday (home at 4:45 p.m.) and Wednesday (away at 6 p.m.) against Chandler-Gilbert Community College. The Coyotes trail the Gauchos by three points in the ACCAC standings in the race for a postseason spot at the end of this month.