Prior to their matchup with UMSL, the Lakers kept an impressive 12-1-7 record. The Lakers kept their opponents on high alert all season with a commendable offensive and defensive presence. However, on Nov. 20, forward Ryan Shepherd believed the key to the Lakers’ victory was to be found in the game’s mental aspects.

“The most important factor for securing a win is not defensively or offensively, but rather mentally,” said Shepherd. “To dominate defensively and offensively, we have to have a positive mindset and that grit. Our team is also huge on energy and communication, so (we are) definitely making sure, on and off the bench, (that) we are bringing the energy and communicating the entire game.”

From the first whistle, the Lakers meant business, asserting dominance over the Tritons with a combination of a solid defense and aggressive, offensive pressure. Throughout the half, the Lakers kept the Tritons on their heels. As the game progressed, the Lakers applied pressure on the Tritons, opening the door to score. GVSU’s Kendall Akins pushed through the Tritons’ defense, and rifled the ball into the net with the help of Alli French.

With the tone set early by the Lakers, USML was forced onto the defensive. Despite the Lakers opening multiple opportunities to score, the Tritons’ goalie, Mary Kate Neal, was an iron wall.

The Lakers continued to press the Tritons, opening multiple opportunities to score, while also maintaining a tight defense. The rest of the first period, the Lakers maintained control of the field with a score of 1-0.

In the second half, the Lakers wasted no time, and applied immediate pressure onto the Tritons. Only 10 minutes in, GVSU’s Taylor Reid stepped up and slotted the ball into the net, which furthered the Lakers’ lead.

Following Reid’s goal, the pressure was high for the Tritons, who had to step up if they wanted to bridge the scoring gap. Despite the Tritons’ best efforts to catch up, they struggled to find the net. The Lakers’ defense was anchored down by denying the Tritons any relief.

While USML did manage to take a few shots at the goal, the Lakers’ defense held strong. By the end of the match, the Tritons were unable to close the gap.

“Our team is truly one of a kind,” said Shepherd. “The bond we all share (with) each other is something like no other. High-pressure tournaments are no competition to our unity. If anything, (tournaments) get to show unity being one of our strengths. This tournament being high pressure just translates to an even better feeling when we win.”

The Lakers ended the regular season 11-1-6 and 8-1-5 in the GLIAC conference, securing second place in the GLIAC standings. In the regular season, the Lakers faced Parkside twice, and both games concluded in a win for the Lakers. In the 2023 postseason GLIAC tournament, Parkside defeated GVSU in the semifinal round, 1-0. Despite last year’s game result, the Lakers were eager to treat the 2024 quarterfinal game as a clean slate, and focus on the little details to secure the win. 

“The biggest thing was (that) Parkside knocked us out of the tournament last year,” said junior defender Kacy Lauer. “(I’m) going into the game confident today, knowing that we have two wins against this team in the past (regular season), but knowing that it’s not going to be easy. Nothing is ever going to be easy. (We’re) using what happened last year (as) fuel and energy for us to put it (the ball) in the back of the net today.”

Awaiting the quarterfinal game, families and friends bundled up in their blankets, mittens and heavy jackets. Both the Lakers and Rangers adapted to the cool temperatures from the sun’s early evening disappearance. Winning the coin toss, the Lakers began the quarterfinal game with possession of the ball, and kicked off the first half. 

In the first 20 minutes of play, Parkside possessed the game and outshot GVSU with five shots, three of which were on goal and required junior goalkeeper Cailynn Junk to save. Trailing the Rangers with only one shot on goal, the Lakers had to adapt to the rhythm of the game. Both teams made substitutions, but GVSU capitalized on the fresh set of legs. Going on a 10 minute possession streak, the Lakers put up three additional shots and two corner-kick opportunities.

The majority of the gameplay was in the neutral zone or midfield. The Lakers spent 61% of possession time in the neutral zone, while the Rangers spent 58%. Trading control in the neutral zone, both teams strategically used the whole field to set up the perfect moment to strike. GVSU’s junior midfielder Sophia Morgan charged down the field, pressuring the goal box, where sophomore forward Alli French gifted freshman forward Kendall Aikens a pass to bury the ball in the bottom right corner of the goal at the 39th minute mark. Aikens gained her second goal of the season, Morgan made her first assist and French added a second assist to her record.

The late goal in the first half cushioned the Lakers, but with two minutes to play, Parkside had a huge breakaway, weaving through two defenders. The Ranger’s Emily Mikkelson placed the ball in the bottom center, forcing Junk to make a crucial last minute save. Using momentum and energy from the past allowed the team to earn the lead in the first half. Concluding the first 45 minutes, the Lakers led 1-0 with a total of eight shots, five of which were on goal. 

Parkside kicked off the second half. At the start of the half, both teams made substitutions. GVSU entered the second half aggressively, fouling the Rangers four times in the first 15 minutes of play. The gameplay remained heavily in the neutral zone, as the Lakers spent 59% of possession time in the zone, while the Rangers spent 62%. Trading control, Parkside was able to generate a shot on goal and a corner kick at the 72-minute mark. Junk shut down the opportunity, fighting through the cluster of bodies invading the goal box, and found the ball in her hands. Unable to put the ball in the back of the net, GVSU prioritized possession. In the last five minutes of play, the Lakers strategically used the corner technique, where a player takes the ball to the corner of the field to waste time. The strategy paid off, as the concluding horn radiated throughout GVSU’s soccer field, and announced the Lakers’ win. 

Parkside outshot GVSU 13-10, while shots on goal were even at 6-6. Aikens led the lady Lakers with the game-winning goal and freshman defender Vesna Dennison dished out three shots, with two on goal. French had an assist and three shots, with one on goal and Junk made six saves, adding a ninth shutout to the season. 

The win against Parkside has advanced the Lakers to the GLIAC semifinals. The team has had many conversations about treating the postseason, also known as “the ring season,” as a new chapter. Head coach Katie Hultin preached the importance of letting go of the past, and focusing on the new chapter of gameplay. 

“It’s one game at a time,” said Hultin. “The loser goes home, so we really try to focus minute by minute, shot by shot, tackle by tackle and take care of the little details.” 

GVSU’s women’s soccer team currently has five seniors who may conclude their collegiate careers this postseason. Senior midfielder Ryann Fetty noted the rest of the postseason’s games are incredibly important to her and the team’s other seniors.

“We just keep saying ‘do or die, this is it,’” said Fetty. “From here on out, we have our heart set on winning it all. Every game, every next step, everything is 110%.” 

Against the Bulldogs, the Lakers started strong, with graduate forward Taylor Reid scoring her first goal of the season in the 16th minute. The goal’s assist was from senior midfielder Ryann Fetty.

For roughly the next 60 minutes of play, the Lakers worked to extend their lead, while Ferris looked to tie things up late.

Although the Bulldogs’ defense held strong after the first goal, it was the Lakers’ offense that found the net next. Freshman forward Kendall Aikens scored with a header for her first collegiate goal, with the assist from sophomore defender Alex Williams.

“It was honestly surreal,” said Aikens. “The game was intense, with it being a rivalry match. The ball was crossed perfectly by Alex and I got (my) head on it. It was such a great moment.”

Aikens’ goal increased the Lakers’ lead to 2-0. This remained the score for the rest of the game.

After the game against Ferris, GVSU’s win streak was riding on a four game shutout. Later in the week, the Lakers sought to continue their streak when they took on Roosevelt University. However, things seemed a bit shaky for GVSU when Roosevelt scored in the 39th minute from a penalty kick. The Lakers ended the first half down 1-0.

“We didn’t have the best first half,” said head coach Katie Hultin. “The unfortunate penalty kick for them was our fault. At the half, it was a mentality shift that we needed. We were able to challenge our players to dig deeper and fight harder to put the ball in the back of the net.”

In the 68th minute, GVSU found its footing when sophomore forward Alli French scored her fourth goal of the season, tying up the game 1-1.

“Before my goal, there was a lot of action happening in the box,” said French. “We knew Roosevelt was sitting back because they were up. The ball came out to me, and I got a good kick and good placement with the ball.”

However, a tie was not enough for the GVSU offense. The Lakers continued to press Roosevelt’s defense, and in the 71st minute, junior defender Kacy Lauer was able to score her second goal of the season off a penalty kick from a handball in the box.

Now, with the win in sight, GVSU held up defensively to close out the remainder of the match, securing a fifth straight win. 

The matchup against Roosevelt was the Lakers’ final away game of the season, as their next three regular season matches will be at home in Allendale.

“We get to stick to our normal routines,” said Hultin. “There is a lot of value in playing on our field, in front of our fans and in a familiar place. We are trying to close out the season strong. These next three games are big for trying to win the conference, so I think we (will) just take things game by game.”

French added that playing in Allendale helps the team, which is permeated by the culture that surrounds home games.

“Coach Hultin says energy is our superpower, and our team truly believes that,” French said. “The culture that this team brings helps us play at home.”

The Lakers will host Northern Michigan University on Thursday, Nov. 7 at home.

This was not the first time these teams have competed. GVSU beat the Parkside Rangers 3-0 at home during a previous match this season.

The Laker’s offense started the match by pressuring Parkside with five shots on goal in the first ten minutes of play. Both teams traded shots and fouls throughout the beginning of the match. However, a handball in the box by Parkside turned the game in favor of the Lakers. This set up graduate forward Kennedy Bearden with a penalty kick. With solid ball placement, Bearden scored her third goal of the season and the first goal of the game for the Lakers in the twenty-fifth minute.

“(It was) a great buildup from our backline (that) started the chain of events,” said Bearden. “A handball in the box set me up for the kick, and I put the ball (facing) the way I hoped the goalie wasn’t going to go. I came away with the goal.”

A strong defensive output by the Lakers held Parkside scoreless heading into the half.

Starting the second half, each team would once again pressure their opponent’s defense with back and forth shots on goal. Although the strain was on Parkside to score, a shot into the top left corner of the net in the sixty-seventh minute scored freshman forward Sarah Fromm her second goal of the season, with the assist of graduate forward Taylor Reid.

Junk’s goalkeeping and the Lakers’ defense held Parkside scoreless for the remainder of the 90-minute match.

In the end, GVSU out-shot Parkside 18-10. They also led 6-2 in shots on goal and corner kicks.

GVSU is currently tied for first in the conference with the fewest goals allowed. Junior goalkeeper Cailynn Junk explained the importance of shutting down an opponent’s offense.

“Staying together and not allowing the goals is a whole team effort, and it shows our team’s grit and how strong our backline is,” said Junk. “None of what we do is an individual effort.”

With the team sitting near the top of the conference more than halfway through the season, the Lakers look to keep their momentum high into the future.

“We need to continue to build off of this weekend,” said head coach Katie Hultin. “We have this relentless pursuit of greatness. We will continue to apply what we learn each week and keep building off of that. For the future, we need to take care of the conference, which starts with trying our best to win out the season. We think we are up to the task.”

The team’s players also gave their input on what can be done to maintain success.

“We need to take this one game at a time,” Junk said. “We cannot get complacent, and we need to keep bringing the energy every day at practice.”

Bearden added that translating practice into game performance is of utmost importance.

“The biggest thing is coming out every day and giving it all a 100% effort,” said Bearden. 

The Lakers return home to Allendale for their next match against Roosevelt University (0-5-4) on Friday, Oct. 18.

The first half of the match started off with Ashland controlling the field. The Laker defense held strong against Ashland’s offense. Ashland had a total of three shots on goal with the Laker’s defensive line saving two of these shots. Redshirt sophomore Isable Imes saved the third shot on goal. During the first half, the Lakers took on one foul, while Ashland took on two fouls. Both teams finished the half with no goals scored.

“I think we were a little nervous (playing in the first half) just because we ended Ashland’s season last year,” said head coach Katie Hultin. “We played a different formation at the beginning, which challenged us a little bit, but we definitely changed it up and played our game.” 

After halftime, the Lakers improved their performance. Within the first three minutes of the second half, their first goal was made by senior midfielder Emma Chudik with an assist by freshman forward Sarah Fromm. Through the rest of the half, Ashland attempted another four shots, while the Lakers had five shots on goal. However, none of these shots resulted in a goal for either team.

The GVSU women’s team took on a total of seven shots with the defensive line saving six of those goals. Only one of these shots was on goal. Ashland took on eleven of Grand Valley’s shots, saving a total of five shots on goal. 

The game ended in a 1-0 win for the Lakers, with the single goal scored by Chudik.

In 2023, Chudik tied with graduate forward Taylor Reid for most goals of the season with a total of five goals. Now, Chudik has started the 2024 season just as strong as her previous year.

“It feels amazing, like I have no words.” said Chudik.

Following the game, members of the team shared their feelings about starting the new season off with a win.

“It is just relieving,” said senior midfield Ryann Fetty. “We put so much work in, and for our first result to come out like this, it’s such a relief.”

Hultin emphasized the team’s passion to be victorious.

“We’re just passionate (and) we just want to win,” Hultin said. “We’ll do whatever it takes to do it (win).” 

GVSU has been competing against Ashland University since 2002, with the Lakers dominating the field throughout the history of the rivalry. After the Sept. 5 game, the Lakers’ dominance was not upstaged. 

“Ashland is a very good team, (they’re) very talented,” said Hultin. “For us to go out and hold our own, play good soccer and create as many chances as we did, I’m really proud of them and really excited for what’s to come.” 

The Lakers will take on Cedarville University at home on Saturday, Sept. 7, where the Lakers will present their alumni ceremony at half time.

The first exhibition match was at the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio on Aug. 26, in which GVSU lost narrowly. However, losing in an exhibition can be a positive experience for the team to reflect and find areas where they can improve, according to junior Sophia Morgan.

“While we don’t like to lose, we learned a lot about ourselves and really grew,” said Morgan. “For exhibition games, we aren’t as worried about the score because it’s an opportunity to grow as a team.” 

The second exhibition game was against Northwood University on Aug. 28, and was a home match for the Lakers. The GVSU women’s soccer program has never lost to Northwood in the 28 times they have faced each other, this match being no exception. The Lakers secured yet another win, and in doing so, continued their winning streak against Northwood. During the game, the women’s soccer team was able to exhibit four different goal-scorers. 

“It was really awesome to be able to play at home and get a solid win,” said Morgan. “We were able to apply what we’ve been working on, and it paid off.”

Although exhibition matches don’t affect a team’s overall standing, they allow the players to see how their team compares to others before the season actually starts. 

“We learned a lot in both exhibitions and we’re really excited for our out-of-conference games, as well as GLIAC play,” said Morgan.

Head coach Katie Hultin, who is about to enter her third season as the head coach for women’s soccer at GVSU, is happy with the preseason that her team has had. 

“We had a fantastic preseason filled with growth from start to finish,” said Hultin. “The exhibitions were a good challenge, as they (the University of Findlay and Northwood University) were great opponents.”

Hultin emphasized the growth she’s observed in both the team’s new and returning players.

“We saw some of our new players step into roles that we are excited about, and our returners all showed great leadership and development from prior years,” said Hultin. “We have two great matchups next week.”

The team’s next matchups are against Ashland University and Cedarville University, two out-of-conference opponents, both games being at home. 

On Thursday, Sept. 5, the Lakers will be taking on Ashland. Last season, GVSU played Ashland twice in two highly competitive games, once in the regular season and once in the regional final. The Lakers ended up beating Ashland in their regional game, and since 2002, the first time the two teams met, the Lakers have won 21 of 26 matchups against the team.

The Lakers will take on Cedarville on Saturday, Sept. 7. GVSU is less familiar with Cedarville, as they have only played against the university three times in the history of both the women’s and men’s soccer teams. GVSU’s teams have won all three of these matches.

Looking towards the two upcoming matches, Hultin sees both schools as respectable opponents.

“Both Ashland and Cedarville (have) great programs and are coached very well,” said Hultin. “We are excited to kick off our season with a challenge, and (we) can’t wait to see what’s to come.”

Assistant Coach Mike Korman will be joining the team for the fall season. Korman spent five seasons at Bemidji State University in Minnesota helping their team reach their first NCAA tournament appearance.

In addition to the new coach, five freshmen will be joining the team. One returning player, Senior Ryann Fetty, gave her input on the incoming players.

“The freshmen and transfers coming in have made a huge impact already,” Fetty said.

Sophomore Chloe Wilmes, being a transfer herself, stated that while she thought it might be hard to initially fit into the team, she felt very welcomed.

“It’s a hard adjustment, but everyone is so encouraging,” Wilmes said.

The Lakers also have five seniors and two graduates who will help guide the team with their experience on the field. Many of these players will be seeing their final season begin this fall. 

“Since we have so many girls playing their last year, I think it will give us an all-around boost knowing we are playing for the final time,” said Fetty. “We have worked hard over the past few years with our Head Coach Katie Hultin to create this amazing team culture, which allows us to play for each other as much as it does ourselves.”

The group was able to bond further throughout the summer, not only through practices, but during a trip to England. The team spent time sightseeing, bonding and playing soccer. While in England, they had the opportunity to play against the AFC Flyde. 

The Lakers will play in an exhibition match against Northwood University on Wednesday, Aug. 28. This will be the Lakers’ first match against Northwood since 2021. 

“A lot of teams we see in post-season we haven’t faced in many years,” said senior midfielder Ryann Fetty. “I think it’s great to get a taste of all sorts of different teams.”

Since 2002, the Lakers have been undefeated against Northwood. With 28 wins over the 22 years, GVSU has averaged about 4.7 goals per game. 

“I don’t think it (the three year gap) would be an issue because we will play our hardest no matter the team,” said sophomore defender Chloe Wilmes.

The GVSU women’s soccer team will have their first official home game on Sept. 5 against Ashland University.

The Grand Valley State University Lakers’ football team lost just two games in 2023, making the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II playoffs for the third straight season. After losing their first game of the year to the Colorado School of Mines on the road in Golden, Colorado, the Lakers won eleven straight games before falling to Harding University, the eventual national champions, in the semifinals by a narrow score of 7-6.

The Lakers and first-year head coach Scott Wooster faced one of the toughest schedules in the nation. They fell just short of the ultimate goal of winning the national championship and finished 11-2 after making a run in the postseason and winning the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) championship this past season.

That included beating rival Ferris State University for a second time during the 2023 campaign and beating Pittsburg State University. Ferris State, Pittsburg State and Harding were the third, fourth and fifth ranked schools in the nation. 

As it turned out, Harding and the Colorado School of Mines, the Lakers’ only two losses, met in the national championship game on Dec. 16. Harding blew the top off of Mines in a massive 38-7 victory.

GV soccer makes run to the Elite Eight

In her second season at the helm of the GVSU women’s soccer team, Katie Hultin took her team deep into the NCAA Tournament, winning three games and making the Elite Eight.

The Lakers came into the tournament as the number three seed in the Midwest Region, beating six seed McKendree University and seven seed Maryville University, before having to face off against two number one seeds.

The first one seed that GVSU played was Ashland University. Ashland was undefeated at 19-0-4 entering the game, as the Lakers were 15-3-6. Avenging the 1-0 home loss in the first game of the year against Ashland, the Lakers came out on top with the same score of 1-0 in a road win over three months later.

GVSU ultimately fell to Washburn University 1-0 in the Elite Eight. Washburn would go on to make the national championship before losing to Point Loma Nazarene University.

Hultin now moves to a career record of 30-6-11 overall and 18-2-8 in the GLIAC. Hultin put this 2023 Elite Eight appearance under her belt, along with a 2022 Sweet Sixteen appearance, a 2022 GLIAC postseason and regular season championship.

GVSU men’s wrestling on a roll in inaugural season

The GVSU men’s wrestling team is currently ranked sixteenth in the nation, according to a National Wrestling Coaches Association poll released on Dec. 22. GVSU’s head coach, Joey Simcoe, led his team to a 7-2 record.

On Saturday, Jan. 6, the Lakers traveled to the Mountain Cat Duals in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. There, they beat ninth ranked University of North Carolina-Pembroke and unranked Frostburg State University, before losing to the host of the tournament.

The eleventh ranked University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown handed the Lakers a 29-13 loss– GVSU’s first of the new year and first since taking on the University of Campbellsville-Harrodsburg on Dec. 2.

Simcoe and the Lakers have produced four players ranked in the top twelve of their weight classes nationwide. 125 pounder Aaron Lucio is ranked eighth, 149 pounder Chris Donathan is ranked third, 174 pounder Josh Kenny is ranked third and 197 pounder Wyatt Miller is ranked twelfth.

Following a 30-year hiatus, the Grand Valley State University Lakers varsity men’s wrestling team made their long-awaited debut on Wednesday, Nov. 1 with their home opening match against the Cornerstone University Eagles. In their first match back, the Lakers would pull away victorious with a 30-12 win.

After disbanding in 1993, the program was revived with the help of a three million dollar donation from former GVSU wrestling alumni. Former Laker wrestler John Harris (class of 1977) and his wife Diane Harris’ huge donation funded a massive chunk of the revival.

Leading the way for the Lakers is head coach Joey Simcoe. Previously, Simcoe found success at Tiffin University, where over his 11-year span with the Dragons, he earned four Great Midwest Athletic Conference Coach of The Year awards and coached two players to NCAA Division II National Champions, including 15 All-Americans.

Click here to read more from Staff Writer Brady Kemmerling about the return of wrestling as a varsity sport to GVSU.

No. 4 GV Football topples reigning back-to-back national champs in No. 1 Ferris

Two archrivals and titans of the college football world met on Saturday, Oct. 14 as the No. four ranked Grand Valley State University Lakers (5-1) defeated the reigning national champions, the No. one ranked Ferris State University Bulldogs (4-2), 49-28 at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale, Mich. The game was one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the Anchor-Bone Classic’s rivalry history.

The two programs have now played in 12-straight ranked matchups, as the Lakers won in the 2022 regular season meeting, toppling top-ranked FSU 22-21 in Big Rapids, Mich. before falling at home to the Bulldogs 24-21 in the second round of the playoffs.

Beating the reigning back-to-back national champions has not been easy in the past for the Lakers.

“This rivalry, through the decades, has been very one-sided decade by decade and we wanted to make sure that the 2020s got off to this start,” Lakers’ head coach Scott Wooster said. “We talked about a belief, something just outside of your grasp that you haven’t quite done yet, and that’s what you just saw.”

Click here to read more from Sports Editor Nelson Hubbell on GVSU football’s upset win over Ferris State.

GV volleyball moves to 14-1 after sweeping two GLIAC opponents

The Grand Valley State University women’s volleyball team (14-1) finished out the weekend with convincing wins against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opponents Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals and Wayne State University Warriors in two dominant 3-0 sweeps.

Lakers’ head coach Jason Johnson was impressed with how his team played this weekend with both his offense and defense playing at high levels.

“Our serving and passing was fantastic this weekend. We never allowed either team to feel comfortable; we were always putting them on their heels,” Johnson said.

The Oct. 7 match was a “Battle of the Valleys” against rival SVSU at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Lakers opened the set fast, taking an 8-2 lead before winning the set 25-16.

The second set began with a tug-of-war battle before the Lakers went on a run. With GVSU leading 10-8, Johnson called a timeout, looking to find the same momentum that the Lakers had in the first set. Coming out of the timeout, redshirt freshman Brianna Stawski had an explosive kill reenergizing the Lakers who went on a 15-7 run, ultimately winning the set 25-15.

Click here to read more from Staff Writer Drew Burlingame on the GVSU volleyball team’s hot start to the season.

GV soccer heads into GLIAC tournament with back-to-back wins

The Grand Valley State University Lakers women’s soccer team finished their regular season at home with wins against the University of Purdue-Northwest Pride and Davenport University Panthers.

GVSU dominated in both matches, outscoring their opponents by a combined 6-1 as they beat the Pride 4-1 on Sunday, Oct. 29 and the Panthers 2-1 on Thursday, Nov. 2.

Against PNW, the Lakers’ grabbed their first goal and an early lead just 43 seconds into the game from a penalty kick by sophomore defender Kacy Lauer. It was Lauer’s fourth goal this season.

Near the end of the first half, PNW’s Kaci Pampreen knocked in her fifth goal of the season, but the Lakers’ defense stifled the Pride the rest of the way.

In the second half, the Lakers took the lead by scoring three unanswered goals. The second goal of the game was by junior midfielder Ryann Fetty. It was only her second goal this season since playing at Ferris State University the week before. Junior midfielder Ella Kleiver knocked in the third and senior forward Alicia White scored the fourth goal of the game. It was White’s first tally this year.

Click here to read more from Staff Writer Delaney Miller about the GVSU soccer team’s dominant finish to the regular season.

As the No. 3 seed, GVSU beat No. 6 seeded McKendree University (16-2-3) 3-0 in the first round of the Division II National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament before advancing to the second round and winning 2-1 against No. 7 seeded Maryville University (14-3-4).

After having two shots blocked back-to-back in the first few minutes, graduate midfielder Avery Lockwood gave the Lakers the lead with her third goal of the season in the 29th minute. The goal was assisted by freshman midfielder Ella Kleiver.

“I saw Ella get into wide space and knew she was going to get a cross off so I made a run to the box. I didn’t have a player track me so once the ball slipped through I made contact and let Ella’s cross do the work,” Lockwood said.

For Lockwood, a Grand Rapids, Michigan native, this is her first year on the team after transferring from NCAA Division I Xavier University. Despite the move, she adjusted quickly to begin the season and has played at an extremely high level for the Lakers. 

“Being a part of this team has been an awesome experience. My teammates have been nothing but welcoming and are a group of fantastic people,” Lockwood said. 

Now with a lead, GVSU would not only continue to display a firm defense but show off their fierce offensive firepower. 

In the 39th minute and nearing the half, junior defender Stephanie Sturgeon added to the Lakers’ lead before with a shot in the top right corner of the net, scoring her first goal of the season with an assist from Avery Lockwood. 

Despite the cushion being up 2-0, the Lakers would continue to play at a high standard and Sturgeon was hungry for more. 

In the second half’s 60th minute, a corner kick by sophomore midfielder Sophia Morgan would set up Sturgeon to score her second goal of the game. 

Extending her team’s lead once again, Sturgeon said her pair of goals was made possible by teamwork. 

“I was able to get both of those goals from amazing placement by my teammates Sophia and Avery. They placed the ball right where I could be dangerous,” Sturgeon said. “I knew as soon as I saw that placement of the ball that there was nothing stopping me from finishing it.”

Now up late, GVSU was in full control and never let up. A large number of substitutions were able to be made by the Lakers, giving a majority of the team playing time and rest to some of the key contributors. 

As time ticked down, McKendree was handed just the second loss of their season, advancing GVSU to the second round of the tournament where the Lakers faced No. 7 seeded Maryville.

“Our team has been and is prepared for the next game. We’ve spent the whole season working as hard as we can as a unit,” Sturgeon said about their next match. 

Coming off a late win against Northern Michigan University, Maryville would start the match strong and produce many shots against the Lakers. Still, a strong defensive stand and GVSU’s redshirt freshman goalkeeper Isabel Imes would hold the Saints scoreless until the second half.

The first goal of the match would come in the 34th minute when Sturgeon would head a corner kick from Morgan. Morgan added her second assist and Sturgeon’s third straight of the tournament. 

With Sturgeon’s red-hot play, the Lakers grabbed the lead in the first 45 minutes.

Out of halftime, junior midfielder Ryann Fetty took a pass from sophomore midfielder Abby Winn in Maryville’s box and buried it into the bottom right corner of the net, extending her team’s lead to 2-0.

This lead would quickly be cut in half when roughly a minute later a long shot by Maryville would get past the Lakers’ defense to find its way into the back of the net. 

GVSU defended the rest of Maryville’s efforts to score in the final quarter of the match and the game would end in a 2-1 victory for the Lakers.

After helping the Lakers to two huge wins, the Lakers’ junior Sturgeon was confident about her team and their potential to add to their playoff run.

“The post-season is all about using the things we learned from our coaching staff and each other to just finish on top,” Sturgeon said. “Now it’s about taking care of the details and making sure we support each other the best way we can. I believe when we’re unified together, no one can stop us.”

GVSU will next take on the region’s No.1 seed, Ashland University (19-0-4), in the Midwest Regional Finals at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1.

The two teams previously matched up in the first game of the season, where Ashland would win 1-0 at the GVSU Soccer Field in Allendale, Michigan. Now in the Sweet Sixteen, the Lakers will look to get revenge and hand the Eagles their first loss of the season.