ASHLAND, Ohio – The No. 19 Grand Valley State women's soccer team opened up the 2026 season with a 1-1 draw at No. 22 Ashland Thursday (Aug. 27 evening. The Lakers and the Eagles both begin the season with a 0-0-1 record.
Ashland opened the scoring in the 12
th minute off a shot from just outside the right side of the box that hit the far-left post and went in. GVSU outshot Ashland 10-2 in the opening half and 4-1 in shots on goal. Both teams would not register a corner kick in the first half as the Lakers would head into the break down one goal.
In the second half, the Lakers opened with the first two shots with both missing the target. GVSU would find the equalizer in the 67
th minute off the foot of freshman
Sarah Langley for her first collegiate goal.
Ava Kozak recorded the assist for her first career point as a Laker after sending a beautiful cross from inside the box on the right side to the far left side of the goal for Langley who kicked into the back of the net with the left foot. The Lakers would create several chances in the final 20 minutes of play but would be unable to find the go-ahead goal as the game would end in a 1-1 draw.
GVSU outshot the Eagles 17-4 and 7-3 on target. The Lakers recorded two corner kicks in the second half, while holding Ashland to one corner kick.
Acadia Murphy and
Sarah Fromm led the Lakers with three shots each, while Fromm notched two on frame.
Lina Rea,
Kendall Aikens, and
Ava Kozak each posted two shots, while Kozak picked up an assist. Langley scored he lone goal for the Lakers on her lone shot in 44 minutes played. Murphy was the only Laker field player to appear in all 90 minutes.
Macie Hunter got the start in goal and made two saves.
The Lakers will conclude the opening weekend of the season against Cedarville in the home opener on Saturday, August 29
th. First kick is set for 1:00 PM at the GVSU Soccer Field. The game will be streamed live on FloCollege. Visit gvsulakers.com for links to live stats and live video.
