Oct. 26, 2008

Box Score

University Center, Mich. - Grand Valley State played their last road game of the regular season and came up with a 2-1 overtime victory over Saginaw Valley State in University Center, Mich. The No. 1 Lakers trailed for the first time all season, but Ashley Elsass notched the game-winner in overtime to keep GVSU (18-0, 13-0 GLIAC) perfect.

After going down 1-0 in the first half, Meaghan Robinson sent the game into overtime where Elsass won the game with her 13th goal of the season. Grand Valley State is ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA/adidas national poll and has won 26 consecutive conference matches (4th all-time in Division II) dating back to Sept. 29, 2006. GVSU has also earned a point in 39 consecutive home matches, dating back to Sept. 4, 2005 (5th all-time in Division II).

Saginaw Valley State (6-8, 6-6 GLIAC) took advantage of an early opportunity that resulted in a goal by Kim Oberski at the 10:53 mark. A GVSU defender slipped on a free ball and Oberski broke in from midfield and beat Laker goalie Kristina Nasturzio for a 1-0 Cardinals lead.

Meaghan Robinson tied the match 11:08 into the second half with her second goal of the season. Joyce Rose took a free kick and played it into the box, where Robinson headed it past SVSU keeper Anne Bershbach. Bershbach finished the day with 15 saves on 17 shots. The Lakers outshot the Cardinals by a 29-6 margin, which included a 17-6 edge in shots on goal.

Although GVSU controlled the ball and the play for the majority of the second half, neither team was able to break the tie for the remainder of regulation. Overtime only lasted 2:13 before Elsass gave the Lakers their 18th win of the season. On a scramble inside the box, Elsass took a shot that Bershbach saved. The Cardinals' keeper made a second save off of Irie Dennis's shot, but the rebound went back to Elsass, who made the most of her second opportunity. Her shot ended the game at 2-1 in favor of GVSU.