ALLENDALE – The No. 19 Grand Valley State women's soccer team opened up their 2026 home schedule with a 3-1 over Cedarville. The Lakers improve to 1-0-1 on the season, while Cedarville falls to 1-1.
GVSU opened the scoring in the 18
th minute off a free kick set piece.
Acadia Murphy sent in a ball towards the left post and
Vesna Dennison was in great position to jump and head the ball up and over the goalkeeper for her first goal of the season.
The Lakers would add to the lead just two minutes later off the foot of Dennison for her second goal of the game. Dennison was able to sneak past the defenders near the left post as the ball got past a few players in the box as she kicked it with her right foot into the left lower corner of the goal. The play was originally ruled offsides but under VAR, the call was reversed and Dennison was rewarded with a goal to make it 2-0.
The Lakers would add a third goal in the opening half in the 40
th minute.
Ava Kozak would notch her first career goal as a Laker of the assist by
Ana Spaine. Kozak received a great pass from Spaine and would make a move past the goalkeeper inside the right side of the box and kicked it in at the low left corner of the goal.
Cedarville would find the back of the net in the 69
th minute to make it 3-1 GVSU. The Lakers would hold off the Yellow Jackets to claim the 3-1 win. GVSU outshot Cedarville 17-8 and 8-3 in shots on goal, while both teams produced four corner kicks. Dennison led the Lakers with two goals on a career high nine shots with five on target.
Ana Spaine dished out two assists for her first career points as a Laker and played all 90 minutes in the win.
Acadia Murphy dished out an assist and played all 90 minutes of action.
Kendall Aikens notched three shots with one on frame, while
Ava Kozak posted a goal on two shots.
Macie Hunter got the starts in goal making two saves.
GVSU will travel to Mankato, Minnesota for two games next weekend. The Lakers will face Bemidji State in a neutral site game on the campus of Minnesota State on Friday, September 4
th at 12:00 PM ET. GVSU will then face Minnesota State on Sunday, September 6
th at 3:00 PM ET.
