Dec. 2, 2010

Box Score

Louisville, Ky. - The #5 Grand Valley State women's soccer team defeated Florida Tech 2-0 on Thursday afternoon (Dec. 2) in Louisville, Ky. to advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship. This is the second straight year GVSU will play in the national game, as the Lakers return to defend their 2009 Championship Title. GVSU will face the winner of #1 Saint Rose (23-0-0) and #12 UC San Diego (18-3-2) on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 12:00 p.m. ET in Louisville, Ky.

The Panthers attacked early during the first five minutes of the match and placed the first shot on goal of the game. Florida Tech's Christine Ragona took a shot from inside the box, but GVSU's keeper Chelsea Parise punched the ball to record the save. Sophomore Alyssa Mira took the Laker's first shot on goal at the 13:23 mark. Mira stole the ball from Panther defenders and took a shot from inside the box, but was saved by Florida Tech's goalkeeper.

Grand Valley State had an opportunity to score after a Florida Tech foul, which set up an Erin Mruz free kick. Mruz took a shot from just 23 yards out during the 36th minute and was blocked by a Florida Tech defender to secure a 0-0 score at half.

During the first 45 minutes of play the Lakers placed three of their four shots on goal, while Florida Tech placed all of its three shots on goal. Both teams just took one corner kick during the first half of play.

After a scoreless first half, Grand Valley State was almost able to connect off of a Mruz's corner kick at the 49:20 mark. Ashley Botts took a shot from inside the box, but was saved by the Panthers. Just three minutes later Parise recorded her fourth save of the match after Florida Tech's Kelly Whittaker took the ball on a breakaway and took a shot from six yards out.

Kayla Addison gave the Lakers a great chance to score after her shot was just wide during the 55th minute. The sophomore forward took a shot from the left side of the field, but just missed the right corner of net. GVSU recorded another opportunity to place a goal in the back of the net at the 66:39 mark. Senior defender Megan Brown crossed the ball over from the right side, where senior midfielder Kristen Eible took a shot that was just over the cross bar.

During the 77th minute the Lakers broke the 0-0 tie after Mira passed the down the middle of the field to Botts. Botts broke away from defenders and took a shot from the right side of the field seven yards out. The sophomore forward placed the ball in the bottom right corner of the net, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead.

Botts recorded her second goal of the match at the 86:26 mark, her 14th goal on the year. Botts stole the ball from the Panthers and took a shot at an open net after Florida Tech's keeper was beat. Botts' goal sealed the 2-0 victory over the Panthers to advance to the title match.

The Lakers outshot the Panthers by a 14-8 margin, while both teams recorded seven shots on goal. The tough Laker defense notched their 20th shutout win, which sets a school record and the GVSU backline has not given up a goal in post season action. Parise recorded a season-high seven saves and claimed her 16th shutout win, which also sets a GVSU record. Grand Valley State advances it record to 21-1-2, while Florida Tech ends it season at 10-7-5.