Box Score

Rivalries often bring out the best in everyone. Fortunately for the Grand Valley State women's soccer team, Saturday (Sep. 20) afternoon's match against archrival Ferris State awoke a sleeping giant: Marti Corby.
 
She had not scored a goal in any of the club's first four matches, but the NSCAA All-America Second Team selection came to life, tallied three goals – the 22^nd hat trick by a Laker since 2003 – and carried fourth-ranked GVSU to a 3-2 victory over the Bulldogs in its GLIAC opener.

"Marti really stepped up for us today. We really challenged her this week to step up her game," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "Clearly, she responded well. She was focused today from the moment we stepped on campus. Early on, we recognized we could play through her and rode her all day long."
 
Things did not get off to a great start for the nine-time defending GLIAC champions as Ferris State became the third consecutive opponent to strike first. Senior goalkeeper Andrea Strauss stopped a hard shot from Casey Shauman, but Nichole Boehnke corralled the rebound and drove it home to put the Bulldogs in front 1-0 just 11 minutes in.
 
From there on out, Corby took control of the match.
 
The Ada, Michigan native tied things up off a perfect feed to the center of the box from junior midfielder Katie Klunder in the 17^th minute. Although it would be 36 minutes before her next goal went on the scoreboard, the Laker offense continued to operate through Corby. In the 53^rd minute, the sophomore midfielder took matters into her own hands and blasted a corner kick at goalkeeper Maddie Haustein, who came off her line prematurely and could not hang on for a save as she helplessly watched the ball rolled into the netting.

"The team recognized we needed to play through her as often as we could," said Hosler. "She had a really good day distrubiting as well. The goals are what stand out, but she was very dangerous passing the ball."
 
Ferris State would not go quietly, though. A beautiful display of passing in the 55^th minute set up Casey Shauman for an equalizing tally.
 
Roughly 13 minutes after the Bulldogs made it 2-2, Corby came through with yet another outstanding play. A Ferris State turnover in the box, caused by high-pressure team defense, gave GVSU its escape route out of Big Rapids, Michigan as the All-GLIAC First Team honoree rifled a shot on target, which deflected off Haustein's hands and into the goal.
 
The Bulldogs made one last run in the 89^th minute only to be turned away by Strauss, who made seven saves and earned her fourth win of the season.

"Today was just one of those days where you're on the road, the environment and crowd are tough, and you just have to grind out the result," said Hosler. "It wasn't our best effort, but I give the girls a lot of credit for implementing our halftime adjustments and taking the game to (Ferris State) in the second half. For the first 20 minutes of the second half, Ferris (State) couldn't figure us out. We just had to grind it out."
 
With its 21^st consecutive victory over Ferris State, GVSU improves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in GLIAC play. The Lakers improved to 13-5-1 all-time and extended their unbeaten streak to 10 matches in conference openers.
 
GVSU will get some much-needed rest before a pair of conference tilts at Lake Erie (Sep. 26) and Findlay (Sep. 28). Kick off for those matches is scheduled for 2 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.

Notes:
-Over the past 12 seasons, the Lakers are now 20-2-2 following a loss and have not lost back-to-back matches since they dropped the final two contests of their 2002 campaign
-GVSU extended its GLIAC winning streak to 24 matches, which ties the second-longest run in program history
-Marti Corby's three goals are the most by any Laker in a single game since Shelby Humphries notched three tallies last season against Walsh (Oct. 6, 2013)
-Corby's three goals and six points are both career highs, while the game-winning goal was the fourth in 30 career matches
-GVSU is now 22-3-0 all-time against Ferris State, including a 3-0 mark when the two teams meet in a GLIAC opener
-This is first time in the last eight meetings with Ferris State that the Lakers were unable to post a shutout
-Saturday afternoon marked the first time since Nov. 29, 2012 -- an NCAA Semifinal tilt against No. 5 UC San Diego -- GVSU allowed more than one goal in a match