ALLENDALE – The Grand Valley State women's soccer team captured the GLIAC tournament championship for the 16^th time in program history after defeating Saginaw Valley State 1-0 Sunday (Nov. 16) afternoon. The Lakers improve to 19-2 on the season and clinched their ticket into the NCAA Tournament beginning next weekend. 
 
Kendall Aikens scored the game-winning goal for GVSU in the 56^th minute. Aikens had an initial shot in the box that hit off the crossbar. The rebound went to Sonya Mehta who passed it back for Aikens in the box who stretched out with her left leg to beat the SVSU defender to the ball and kicked it home for the game's lone goal. That goal was Aikens sixth goal and second game-winning goal of the season. 
 
GVSU outshot Saginaw Valley State 20-6 and 7-1 on frame. Macie Hunter made a game saving save in the 77^th minute to keep GVSU in front as they would hold on for the tournament championship. The Lakers produced nine corner kicks and held the Cardinals to one. 
 
Aikens led GVSU with the game-winning goal and six shots. Alli French recorded three shots with two on target, while Sarah Fromm also had three shots with one on frame. Cora Conley notched two shots on goal, while Sonya Mehta added an assist and posted two shots. Acadia Murphy, Kacy Lauer, and Mackenzie Ford played all 90 minutes in the win. Macie Hunter picked up her 12^th shutout of the season making one save.
 
GVSU punched their ticket into the NCAA Tournament which begins next week. The Lakers will wait to hear who their first-round opponent will be. The selection show for the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Tournament will be tomorrow at 6:30 PM ET on the official NCAA website.