MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State women's soccer team opened NCAA Tournament play with a dominate 3-0 win over McKendree on the campus of Northern Michigan Friday (Nov. 17) morning. The Lakers advance to the second round on Sunday (Nov. 19) and will play the winner of Northern Michigan and Maryville. 
 
The Lakers improve to 12-3-6 on the season and 61-12 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. GVSU outshot McKendree 17-12, 11-4 on goal and did not allow a Bearcat corner kick. 
 
The Lakers would get on the board in the 29^th minute off the foot of Avery Lockwood. Ella Kleiver inserted a cross from the right side that took one bounce past a Laker forward and Bearcat defender for Lockwood to kick it home for the 1-0 lead. That goal was Lockwood's third of the season and it would end up being her third game winning goal of the season.
 
Later in the first half, Lockwood inserted a corner kick into the box where Stephanie Sturgeon was in great position to head it in for her first goal of the season. The Lakers outshot McKendree 11-5 in the first half and would head into the halftime up two goals.
 
In the second half, the Lakers would add a third goal in the 60^th minute to make it 3-0. GVSU produced another corner and Sophia Morgan placed a great ball towards the back post for Sturgeon to head it in again for her second of the game. 
 
Sturgeon led the Lakers with two goals in 73 minutes of play. Lockwood scored the game winning goal and dished out an assist in 60 minutes. Kleiver and Morgan each picked up an assist in the win. Isabel Imes got the start in goal for the Lakers and made four saves. Imes posted her fifth shutout of the season.
 
GVSU advances to the second round in the NCAA Tournament and will face the winner of Northern Michigan and Maryville. The second-round matchup will be on Sunday (Nov. 19) at 1:00 PM on the campus of Northern Michigan. Visit gvsulakers.com for links to live video and live stats and follow @GVSUSoccer on Twitter for live in-game updates.