INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 21 Grand Valley State Lakers advanced to the GLIAC Tournament championship with a 21-6 win over the McKendree Bearcats Friday (May 3) night at the University of Indianapolis. The Lakers will take on the host Greyhounds on Sunday (May 5) in the finals. This is the eighth win in a row for GVSU and snaps a two-year streak of losing to McKendree in the GLIAC Tournament.
 
Carly Shisler scored six goals to lead the Laker attack while Kelley Fitzgerald dished five assists. Shisler, who needed two draw controls to set the new GVSU single-season record, recorded seven in the win. Olivia Esposito scored four goals and Sarah Stagaard and Abbi O'Neal both contributed hat-tricks. In total, nine different Lakers scored on the day.
 
The Lakers jumped out to a fast start, scoring the game's opening goal less than three minutes in on an unassisted finish by Megan Yoshida. The Bearcats would answer a minute later, but GVSU responded with 10 unanswered goals to force a running clock in the first half and hold a 13-3 lead at the half. They would keep McKendree down by double figures the entire second period as the Lakers coasted to victory.
 
GVSU will face Indianapolis, the only team to beat the Lakers in conference play this season, on Sunday in the conference finals. The Lakers are currently ranked fifth in the Midwest Region in the NCAA rankings while Indianapolis sits fourth. With the top four teams earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament, Sunday's game could have huge implications to keep the Lakers' season going.