If defense wins championships, than there are few other players who may be more important for the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team than goalkeeper Chelsea Parise.

Parise is the most accomplished keeper in the history of GVSU women’s soccer. She is currently the all-time leader in shutouts (49), save percentage (89.2 percent) and is tied atop goals against average with Kristina Nasturzio (.34).

Her shutout record is not only a school record, but also a NCAA Division II record.

“Hard work, dedication, communication and being unselfish-I would say those four traits have really helped me,” Parise said. “One because you have to work hard in order to be successful. You can’t let up or slack off in any way. It’s a very elite program and you have to be dedicated. Being unselfish because you can’t be wrapped up in your own agenda or have different priorities that don’t coincide with what the team goals are. The moment you’re selfish is the moment you won’t be successful as a team.”

In 2011, Parise was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America first team and the All-GLIAC first team in a season where she allowed only ten goals total. The senior has allowed just one goal in 2012. Head coach David Dilanni isn’t only impressed by what Parise brings to the field, but also what she brings off the field.

“I think number one she is a very kind and caring individual,” he said. “That shows in how she treats her teammates and how she goes about caring for everyone’s needs as a captain. Anything she can do to help, she’s gonna do. Number two, I think she is a very driven and competitive individual who wants to do the best they can in anything they do, whether it be the classroom, on the field or in the weight room. So I think that’s why you see the success she’s had as a goalkeeper.”

Soccer has been a large part of Parise’s life, for nearly the entire time since she could walk. She began playing soccer at the age of four and continued to play throughout her life on various travel teams. When her junior year of high school rolled around, she decided to continue her playing career at GVSU.

“It was in Tennessee where Coach Dave Dilanni saw me playing on my travel team,” Parise said. “My junior year of high school, I was offered a scholarship and the coaches Dave and Erica really liked me and it went from there.”

For Parise and the rest of the undefeated Lakers (6-0-1, 2-0 GLIAC) the focus is using each game to improve. GVSU hopes to have everything squared away by the time the NCAA tournament rolls around.

“I think the main goal for the defense is consistency, and that is taking one game at a time and not looking ahead and being fully engaged within each game,” Parise said. “Watching film and eliminating our mistakes, learning from them and eliminating them. I think that is going to be the key to us progressing and reaching our peak towards the end of the season.”

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