The Grand Valley State Women's soccer team found itself in unfamiliar territory in Sunday's NCAA Quarterfinal match. Not only did they record their first tie of the season, but they trailed for just the second time all season. The Lakers found themselves trailing in the first half after Jennies midfielder Jada Scott fired a 20 yard strike into the net past GV goalkeeper Emily Maresh in the 18th minute.
 
"Central Missouri was really sharp in the first half, and created a lot of problems," said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler. "I think having that heavy wind with them and us looking into the sun created an advantage for them because of how good they are on corners and the long throw. It's tough to win balls in that situation and eventually they found one on the doorstop to score."
 
The deficit was the first time the Lakers had trailed in a game since their season opener, and for any other team in that situation, the tendency might be to panic. The Lakers stayed focused on the attack however, and came out in the second half renewed and attacking like a team possessed.
 
"Our message to the girls at halftime was that we haven't had a situation all year where we get to be the underdog and be the one to chase, and unfortunately we put ourselves in that situation, but our girls clearly responded really well and you cant ask for a better response than scoring right away in the second half," said Hosler.
 
That pressure led to an equalizer  just one minute into the second half. Forward Gabriella Mencotti blasted a shot high at the Central Missouri net, but the shot floated a fraction too high and hit the crossbar.
 
Junior forward Jayma Martin, crashing into to corral the loose ball, flicked a shot back at the goal. The shot hit Jennies goalkeeper Ana Dilkes in the gloves but continue on into the net, giving Martin her eighth flush of the season.
 
After the game was tied, the team alternated creating strong offensive pressure, which resulted in good looks for both teams. The Laker defense that had conceded the early goal was steadfast in crunch time as the second period wound down, led by the play of it's veteran defenders.
 
"Defensively, our back four and Emily should get a lot of praise for their performance. Katy Woolley and Shannon Quinn played all 110 minutes, and they did a really good job against the most dynamic front line we've seen all season, and to allow zero goals in the run of play through 110 minutes really speaks volumes to the level of preparation and practice they've put forward."
 
At the end of regulation, and with the score tied at 1-1, the first of two 10 minute overtime periods began. Both periods were dominated by offensive pressure from the Laker offense, which yielded a bevy of good looks at the "golden goal" that could end the game, however the Lakers were unable to convert any of these opportunities, and the game proceeded on to a shootout.
 
In the shootout round, the Jennies would take the first shot and it would be saved by Maresh. After a GV make on the first attempt, Maresh saved the Central Missouri attempt and the Lakers would miss. In the third attempt for the Jennies, Maresh would make yet another save, and Grand Valley would capitalize with a second goal, putting the Lakers up 2-0.  The Jennies would net a goal on their 4^th attempt, and the Lakers would miss. After the Jennies fifth attempt netted a goal, it came down to the last penalty kick for the win, and it was good, giving the Lakers the win and advancing them to the NCAA Semifinals.
 
"We do a lot of stuff behind the scenes, Emily deserves all the credit in the world," Hosler said. "Last year was the first time I'd ever seen the first three shots in a row be saved, and now I've seen it twice in a row, but a lot of that credit goes to the work behind the scenes that our goalkeepers do with Annette (Stromberg) in preparing for those moments."
 
 
PK Shootout Summary:
NG= Not Good G= Good
 
Jennies  (NG) (Maresh save)
 
Lakers (G)
 
Jennies  (NG) (Maresh save)
Lakers (NG)
 
Jennies  (NG) (Maresh save)
 
Lakers (G)
 
Jennies (G)
 
Lakers (NG)
 
Jennies (G)
 
Lakers (G)
 
Lakers win shootout 3-2
 
"I'm just really happy for our girls, they battled and battled for 110 minutes, and through the penalties," Hosler said. "It's only the second time we've had to play from behind, and the previous time was the opener, and we lost. The mental toughness they showed today, to come back from down a goal, on the road against a really tough team, it just shows the mental strength of this team."

With the win, the Lakers now advance to their seventh consecutive final four appearance  and will face Western Washington University in the semifinal on December 3^rd in Pensacola, Florida.