It didn’t take much for the Grand Valley State University women’s lacrosse team to get over the disappointing
18-8 loss in the inaugural, home debut of the newest varsity team in the Laker athletic family

Perhaps there were a few jitters Friday when the Lakers took the field at home for the first time, but the team that took the field on Sunday clinched a decisive victory against a struggling Urbana University team.

The first shot and first goal came from GVSU’s Jordan Luberto 12 seconds after the first draw.

Draws were a point of pride for the Lakers Sunday, head coach Alicia Groveston said.

“The biggest key for us is winning draw controls,” she said. “… When we have possession of the ball, we control the pace of the game. Today we won the majority of the draws which allowed us to have freedom with our play and to have confidence in our actions.”

Overall, the Lakers won 18 of 27 draws, with Urbana winning just 9.

After the final whistle, Urbana (0-7) had conceded goals to 11 different Lakers in GVSU’s (2-4) 21-4 rout in the Laker’s second-ever home game.

Groveston was impressed with her team’s goal production.

“It was wonderful to see the unselfish play of our team; 15 of our 21 goals were assisted, which is amazing,” Groveston said.

The Lakers cruised on offense, a quick improvement from Friday when they struggled to get rolling on the counter-attack against Lindenwood University. Lindenwood (5-2) controlled the shooting Friday, 40-14, but GVSU found their grove offensively on Sunday, out-shooting Urbana 29-16.

Groveston contributed the mass of goals as being the result of the Lakers successful offensive play making.

“Our movement off the ball against Urbana was great and we were able to find some openings up top better than we have all year — … the team worked efficiently today,” Groveston said.

It was a day for multiple goal scoring from multiple Lakers. Luberto, with freshmen teammates Zoe Stiemann and Korinne Culley recorded hat-tricks for the Lakers. Freshman Sarah Lowe was a stand-out playmaker Sunday, assisting 4 of GVSU’s goals.

Freshmen Rachel Leibovitz, Brooke Ingraham and Victoria Devine all found the net twice.

Groveston said consistency will be “paramount” in the coming games, especially in terms of confidence.

“We need to control what we can and focus on what we need to do,” she said. “We need to continue to communicate on defense, move the ball quickly and efficiently on the counter-attack, and be smart in the offensive third of the field.”

Though the performance Sunday was a stand-out turnaround from a tough loss Friday, Groveston believes the best is still yet to come.

“I don’t think we’ve played our best game yet,” Groveston said. “I’m excited to see just how good we will be as the season unfolds.”

The Lakers will have the week ahead to train and rest up before returning to the field against Tiffin University on Saturday at the Laker Lacrosse Stadium.

jmaheredgin@

lanthorn.com