Not even the pouring rain in Ohio could put out Ashley Bott’s flaming boots.

The senior forward and Grand Valley State University’s soccer team finished off the regular season in style, downing Lake Erie College and Notre Dame College in this weekend’s final GLIAC matchups.

It was good news all around for GVSU, as Botts continued her impressive goal-scoring pace of late, with a 28th minute strike off of a corner kick to put the Lakers in front. Botts had been struggling to find the net earlier in the season, but since the Laker’s lone loss on Oct. 12, Botts has been lighting up the scoreboard with eight goals in five games
“My confidence was given back to me,” Botts said. “It seems like when someone gets one after not having one for a while, they keep coming.”

Keep coming, they did. After Botts’ goal, a Jenny Shaba shot from distance found its way past the Lake Erie goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead from GVSU going into half-time. Shaba’s goal was her sixth on the season and third in her last three games.

“Shaba getting some goals certainly helps our depth and gives us more options to look at when we’re playing different teams,” said coach Dave DiIanni. “Getting goals from midfield definitely helps our team moving forward.”

Botts capped off the Laker victory shortly into the second half with her second of the match. The Lakers’ 3-0 win was their 15th shutout in the last 16 games. An accomplishment that can be heavily attributed to the play of reigning GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, Alyssa Mira

“It says a lot about our ability to defend as a team,” Mira said. “It’s something we have been working on since preseason, that the defense starts with the forwards and is a team effort. But a lot of the pride from 15 shutouts in 16 games goes to the back line and Chelsea (Parise) for being so solid.”

The Lakers closed out the regular season in similar fashion on Sunday against Notre Dame. Once again, Botts opened the scoring early, in the seventh minute, clearing the way for a Laker win as another shutout made Botts opening goal the winner.

“I think our girls did a really good job in both games of following a game plan,” DiIanni said. “Scoring early goals makes teams have to come out a little bit and lets us not play as tight or worried that we have to chase the game.”

Mira finished off the scoring in the 47th minute to seal the Lakers final regular season victory of the season, and five consecutive wins heading into this week’s GLIAC tournament
“I think it’s extremely important,” Mira said. “To not only set a good example going into tournament time but to show how hard work can help give you the results you want. This is the most important time of the year and our team is still getting better every day.”

The Lakers face Northwood in Allendale at 7:00 on Tuesday in the opening round of the GLIAC tournament.

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