ALLENDALE, Mich. – The nine-time defending Midwest Region champions will have a chance for a tenth in a row after the No. 1 Grand Valley State Lakers defeated the Walsh Cavaliers, 5-0, Sunday (Nov. 11) afternoon in the semifinals. The Lakers, who improve to 22-0-1 with the win, will host Ferris State in the championship match next Friday (Nov. 16) at 2:00 PM at the GVSU Soccer Field.
Ava Cook's hat-trick led the Laker attack Sunday. After a sluggish start to the day, Cook took a feed from
Darline Radamaker and beat the Walsh keeper in center net for what would prove to be the game-winner. Moments later, a corner kick insert found
Madeline Becker, who's header pinged to
Olivia Trombley, who tapped home her second goal of the year. With seven minutes left in the half, a corner insert from
Cecilia Steinwascher bounced off the leg of a Walsh defender into the net for a 3-0 scoreline at the half.
Cook would take matters into her own hands early in the second half, sending a screamer into the far upper 90 from 25 yards out in the 47' to add the lead. She's strike again from long range into the far corner netting in the 73' to cap off the scoring and notch her first hat-trick of the season. The GLIAC leading goal scorer now has 21 goals on the season.
GVSU hosts Ferris State in a rematch of the GLIAC Tournament finals. The Lakers beat the Bulldogs in each of the first two meetings this season, including a 4-0 final to clinch the tournament title two weeks ago in Allendale. GVSULakers.com will provide links to live video and stats while @GVSUSoccer provides Twitter updates.
