Oct. 10, 2008

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Despite not having to make a save in the first half, Kristina Nasturzio came up with two big saves in the second period to backstop Grand Valley State to a 2-0 victory over Northern Michigan. Nasturzio now has 10 individual shutouts on the season while the No. 1 Lakers have blanked their last eight opponents and 12 of their 13 opponents on the year. GVSU (13-0, 8-0 GLIAC) now travels to Ashland to take on the Eagles on Sunday (Oct. 12) at 12 noon.

Nasturzio has not allowed a goal in 740:55, which puts her 12th all-time in Division II for consecutive shutout minutes. Katy Tafler scored her 106th goal in the winning effort, extending her own GLIAC record. The goal and her assist on Ashley Elsass's goal moved her into sole possession of first place on the all-time GLIAC points list (244). She ranks fourth in both goals and points all-time in Division II. The Lakers have now won 21 straight GLIAC matches (t-5th all-time in Division II) and have not lost at home in 34 matches (7th all-time in Division II).

Tafler broke the scoreless tie just 1:20 into the match. Irie Dennis chipped the ball into the 18-yard box and Tafler took the ball away from a defender and put it past NMU keeper Kara Music to make it 1-0. Music finished the day with five saves on seven shots. The goal was Tafler's 12th of the season and the assist put Dennis into a tie with Elsass for the team lead with seven.

GVSU continued to pressure the Wildcats and scored again in the 31st minute. Tafler played a ball from the left side that appeared to be heading right to Music. Erika Pitroff controlled the ball, took it away from the sprawling NMU keeper and played it to a waiting Elsass, who was 12 yards out. Elsass's shot to the right post gave her six goals on the year and made the score 2-0.

The second half started with strong performances from both keepers. At 61:25, Music stopped a drive from Elsass. The Wildcats counter-attacked, with Brittney Valentine carrying the ball down the right side. She lofted a shot that Nasturzio was able to punch over the crossbar while diving backward. In the 72nd minute, Kristen Eible took a heavy shot on a set ball that banged off the left goal post. At the 75:00 minute mark, Kari Buckel launched a shot at the short-side right post that Nasturzio turned away to give the Lakers a 2-0 win.

The Lakers outshot the 'Cats 8-1 in the first half, including a 3-0 advantage in shots on goal. They took four corner kicks as opposed to just one for NMU. GVSU also played a physical game, as they were called four eight fouls in the first half and 15 overall. In the second half, the stats were more even. GVSU outshot NMU just 5-3, and both teams put two shots on goal, although neither was able to score. At the end of the match, GVSU had been called for 15 fouls, while NMU committed just four.