ALLENDALE, Mich.—In a game that was every bit the defensive struggle that it promised to be, it was two clutch plays from the two-time NSCAA Player of the Year Marti Corby that propelled the GVSU women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory on Friday evening at GVSU Soccer Field. The victory over Truman State gave the Lakers (21-1-1) their eighth straight Midwest Region Championship and advances them to a Sunday afternoon NCAA Quarterfinal showdown with #3 Central Missouri, 1-0 victors over #24 Fort Hayes State in the Central Region Championship.
 
A matchup between two teams that had allowed just five goals all season and combined for 34 shutouts promised organized and determined defense, and the first half was par to the course in that regard, as the Bulldogs made the Lakers work for every pass and possession. Even still, the Lakers nearly broke through in the fifth minute, as a free kick by Corby was a fraction too high of the goal on a shot headed for the top right corner of the Bulldog net. Instead of putting the Lakers ahead, the shot caromed off the crossbar and was cleared by the defense.
 
In the 18^th and 20^th minute, the Lakers forced saves by GLVC Defensive Player of the Year Katie Mattingly in the Bulldogs goal, followed by a trio of shots in quick succession midway through the 26^th minute of play.
 
Taking the matter into her own hands in the 30^th minute, Corby took a ball on the left side of the goal box, cut in towards the middle of the field and fired a scintillating rocket of a shot past a diving Mattingly and into the far side of the net from about 22 yards out for what would be the game winning goal.
 
"It was the dynamic movement from the forwards that allowed me space to dribble into position for that goal" said Corby. "It was a great pass that got me going forward, and with the wet conditions I knew that if I could just put it on frame it might hopefully skip into the net. I was pleased to be able to give the team a lift in an intense game like the Sweet Sixteen."
 
With the decisive strike putting them ahead , the Lakers carried the 1-0 lead into the halftime break, but did not let up in the second half, even as the intensity of the match escalated and rainy, windy conditions caused havoc on the playing surface.
 
A whistle against Truman State just outside of their goal box in the 72^nd minute gave the Lakers a free kick, as a Bulldog defender was whistled for obstruction on a ball rolling back to Mattingly. A confident Corby strolled up to take the kick, patiently considered her target area and fired a gem of a free kick into the goal for her second goal of the game and ninth of the season.
 
"I took a while to decide what I wanted to do with the free kick, but it's something I love to do and lots of the girls help me practice those in the offseason" said Corby.  "So being able to put it in and help our team to settle down a bit was a pretty awesome feeling."
 
Corby's goal was the final shot for the Lakers in the match, and the Bulldogs would attempt just two more, both well wide of goal, as the game coasted to a 2-0 decision in favor of the Lakers. The Lakers managed to hold the Bulldogs without a shot on goal in the match, as Laker goalkeeper Jennifer Steinaway went unchallenged in picking up her 14^th clean sheet of the season.
                                                            
"I thought we were really good defensively, really good behind the ball", said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler. "Truman is a team that knocks the ball around really well, so it was important that we get good pressure, and I thought we did a really good job putting pressure on #18 up top, and the job Shannon and Erika did to slow her down and limit penetration was really crucial. Defensively, I don't really have any complaints, I would've liked to see more tempo knocking it around, especially late in the game, but I'm really happy for the girls to get this win."
 
Now, the Lakers will face the 3^rd ranked Jennies of the University of Central Missouri, as UCM knocked off 24^th ranked Fort Hays State in the nightcap at GVSU Soccer Field. A Hannah Pyle goal in the 51^st minute of play broke open a scoreless game and proved to be the difference in the game. Sunday's contest will be a rematch of the 2014 and 2015 NCAA Quarterfinals between GVSU and UCM, as the teams will play each other in this game for the third straight season.