Since defeating the University of Tiffin 13-0 on Oct. 20, the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team has averaged just 1.5 goals per game. Whether it was the offense experiencing a bit of a slump in the five previous games or the opposing defenses making adjustments, it was up to the Laker defense to lead the team to victory against Northwood University in the quarterfinals of the GLIAC Tournament.

“I do think it’s at the end of the season where teams know what’s coming at them and they’re adjusting,” head coach Dave DiIanni said. “We have to make counter adjustments, which is something we aren’t doing a great job of right now.”

From the opening minutes, the Lakers controlled the ball as Northwood faced an uphill battle playing against a team that had only given up one goal on the year.

“We really challenged our girls to be mentally prepared to play,” DiIanni said. “I felt as if we were really unlucky in not getting a goal in the first 20 to 25 minutes, which brought a bit of frustration on our part.”

GVSU’s first chance at a goal came 27 minutes into the first half when freshman Erika Bradfield nearly scored as her ball ricocheted off the crossbar. Several other opportunities fell short for the Lakers in the first half as they went into the locker room tied scoreless with the visiting Timberwolves.

“We struggled a bit in the beginning, had a tough time connecting on some passes,” senior Kayla Kimble said. “I think the wind played a bit of a factor in it as we couldn’t find the balls sent over the top.”

The second half didn’t provide much change as the Lakers continued to miss out on point-blank opportunities. It wasn’t until a miscommunication between Northwood midfielders that GVSU found its chance. The error allowed an odd-man rush for the Lakers in which Bradfield found junior Jenny Shaba across the box to score what would be the only goal of the game.

“The majority of the game was a little sporadic, and we weren’t always on the same page, but it felt good to get the win and the one goal that we needed to do so,” Shaba said. “(Bradfield) fought hard on that drive to get the ball across the line, which set me up for a great opportunity to score.”

Senior goalkeeper Abbey Miller’s night was uneventful as the Laker defense allowed not a single shot, which proved to be the stat of the night as the Lakers went on to outshoot the Timberwolves 30-0.

“The defense is doing a great job, as everyone has noticed,” Shaba said. “Some teams that know us a little bit better have been playing back, which is allowing our defenders to get up in the attack, which has been good for us.”

The Lakers will now look ahead to the semi-finals of the GLIAC tournament when they will host rival Ferris State University—a team they defeated 1-0 on Oct. 30.

“We know them and they know us very well,” DiIanni said. “It’s really up to us to get our minds and bodies right and be fully prepared for Friday.”
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