ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The No. 3 Grand Valley State Lakers struck early and often in a 5-0 victory over the Indianapolis Greyhounds Tuesday night at the GVSU Soccer Field.
Ava Cook had a goal and three assists to lead the Laker attack while Greta DeLoach scored a pair to help GVSU improve to 6-0-1 on the year. The match marks the sixth straight shutout for the Lakers, who have now out-scored their opponents 22-1 this season with that lone goal conceded coming on a penalty kick in the season opener.
It didn't take long for the Lakers, who were held scoreless in a draw on Sunday, to get on the board. In the 4'
Riko Sagara played a ball into the left wing for Cook, who floated a cross in front of goal for
Madeline Becker to head home. It was the freshman's second goal of the season and proved to be the game-winner in the shutout victory. Just two minutes later, Cook would find herself with possession in the left wing again and sent a well-paced rolling cross in front of net for senior
Tara Lierman to smash home for her second of the year.
DeLoach would then score back-to-back goals for the Lakers. Her first came off an insane cross from midfield by Cook, bending through a pair of defenders for DeLoach to pick the ball out of the air with a soft touch, giving her a wide open look at goal for a finish in the 20'. That would be all the first half scoring with the Lakers leading 3-0 at the break. Just three minutes out of intermission, it was DeLoach again. This time two beautiful, long-range aerial passes from
Caitlin Rebera through Sagara put DeLoach in an advantageous position on the right side of the box and she was able to rifle a shot past the keeper to extend the lead.
Cook would turn from provider to finisher in the 57', beating her defender at the top of the box before a long-range bender crept past the keeper and into the corner netting. That was the only unassisted goal of the match. The Lakers had six assists on their five goals, including three double assists. Cook finished one assist shy of the all-time single-match mark in Laker history, although she had a few great passes that led to chances winding up just wide or saved. Tuesday was the third match in five days for GVSU, who will now have some time to recover before their next match; a non-conference bout with cross-town foe Davenport. GVSULakers.com will have links to all live coverage and @GVSUSoccer will live Tweet.
