PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The No. 1 Grand Valley State Lakers fell, 1-0, in the 2018 NCAA National Championship to the Bridgeport Purple Knights on a rainy Saturday (Dec. 1) at Highmark Stadium. GVSU ends their terrific season at 25-1-1 while the Purple Knights finish 20-4-1.

The Lakers out-shot Bridgeport, 18-5, including a 6-1 edge in shots on goal. But the only shot on frame for the Purple Knights found the back of the net in the 78' to break the scoreless tie. Elin Eklund took a long-range shot that clanged off the crossbar, off the goal line, but stayed out. It looked as though the Lakers may dodge the bullet, but Nara DeCosta followed up on the play and tapped home the rebound.

A Laker team that had 17 new faces at season's start; this GVSU club has tons to be proud of. With plenty of could-be excuses and what would have been an understandable step back, instead these Lakers made strides towards keeping the GVSU Lakers a national powerhouse in the women's soccer world. They handled being a should-be underdog and, at the same time, a heavy favorite. Their chemistry and leadership ensure this 2018 team's legacy as sustaining the sterling reputation of Grand Valley State soccer.