Nov. 7, 2008

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Allendale, Mich. - Katy Tafler scored twice and Kristina Nasturzio tied a season-high with five saves to help Grand Valley State defeat Ferris State 3-0 on Friday, Nov. 7. The No. 1 Lakers advances to the GLIAC Championship match against Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9.

GVSU (20-0, 14-0 GLIAC) has earned a point in 41 consecutive home matches, which is third in the Division II record book. This was also the Lakers 20th straight win to start the season, and they have lost just once in their last 43 matches.

Grand Valley State got on the board early when Tafler scored her 18th goal of the season at the 2:48 mark. Ashley Elsass played a ball from the left side that Tafler controlled around the 12-yard mark. Tafler turned and blasted a shot that went under a diving Becci Houdek for a 1-0 lead.

Tafler added her 19th of the season in the 21st minute of the match. On a free kick, Kristen Eible flicked a ball past the Bulldog defense to a charging Tafler. The senior forward went in alone against Houdek and beat her to the right side for a 2-0 Grand Valley State lead with 24:40 remaining in the first half.

Neither team scored after that until the 85th minute. Both goalkeepers made crucial saves, including two shots that Nasturzio punched over the crossbar to earn her 13th shutout of the season. GVSU has posted 17 team shutouts this year, which is just one away from the Division II record. Nasturzio posted the clean slate with five saves, while Houdek stopped seven for FSU.

With just 5:45 left in the second period, Eible scored the final goal of the match. Just past midfield, the sophomore midfielder passed it to Erika Pitroff, who immediately returned the pass, springing Eible on a breakaway. On the break, Eible went around Houdek and put the ball in the net for her fifth goal of the season and a 3-0 win for Grand Valley State.