GVSU Soccer Highlights

ALLENDALE, Mich. – The top-seeded Grand Valley State women's soccer team defeated Maryville 1-0 Sunday (Nov. 13) to open NCAA Tournament play in the semifinals of the Midwest Region. The Lakers move to 16-2-4 on the season and advance to the Midwest Regional Championship where they will face GLIAC foe Ferris State.
 
GVSU dominated in the first half outshooting the Saints 5-2, 2-0 on goal, while creating nine corner kick opportunities. Kacy Lauer got off three shot attempts in the first 23 minutes of the game, while Kennedy Metzger had one shot attempt. After back-to-back corner kick opportunities, the Lakers would find the back of the net in 31' minute off another corner kick that was inserted by Cate Brown. Taylor Reid was in great position to jump and to put a header on it that sneak in on the bottom left of the goal. Reid extended her goal streak to five games and has notched 15 on the season. The Lakers would hold the Saints to just four shot attempts with none on goal through the first 45 minutes and headed into halftime up one.
 
In the second half, Kennedy Bearden got off a pair of shots in the 50' and 53' minutes but both shots would sail just high. Late in the game, the Saints had a free kick in the 81' minute from just outside the top of the box. The Maryville player sent a shot that sailed just high. With ten seconds remaining, the Saints had another free kick this time from about 25 yards out. The free kick attempt took a couple of deflections in the box but was hit off a Saints player and went out of bounds for a goal kick as the Lakers would hang on to the win.
 
Taylor Reid picked up her 15^th goal of the season, while Care Brown dished out her sixth assist on the year. Kendall Robertson posted her eighth shutout on the year. Lauer led the Lakers with three shots attempts, while Kennedy Bearden added two. All eleven starters for the Lakers saw at least 50 minutes of action. Bearden, Brooke Russell, Mackenzie Ford, and Mackenzie Jones played all 90 minutes in the win.
 
The Lakers have moved on to the Midwest Regional Championship where they will face GLIAC foe Ferris State next weekend. The two teams will faceoff at the highest remaining seed in the Central Region. Follow @GVSUSoccer on Twitter for updates on next weekend and visit gvsulakers.com.