Carlson signs with Grand Rapids FC

Clare Carlson, a former defender on the Grand Valley State women’s soccer team, signed with the newly formed women’s Grand Rapids FC. Joining Carlson will be a familiar playing partner, her younger sister, Mary Carlson.

Clare Carlson recently finished her college career with the Lakers in the 2016 season. During her four-year career, she earned three All-American awards and was named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year in her junior and senior seasons. She helped the Lakers advance to four consecutive NCAA National Championships and winning three. She finished as a part of the winningest senior class in GVSU history with a .926 winning percentage.

Mary Carlson, currently a sophomore at Central Michigan, also plays as a defender. In her two-year career, she has started every game for the Chippewas. In her first season in a Chippewas jersey, she earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team. She was also named to the 2016 Academic All-Mid-American Conference Team.

In the team’s inaugural season, GRFC will play in five matches during the summer of 2017.

GVSU women’s basketball ranks No. 7 in Midwest Region

After escaping with a two-point victory against Northern Michigan to complete a two-game sweep last weekend, the Grand Valley State women’s basketball team jumped two spots to No. 7 in the Midwest Region rankings. The top-eight teams in the region advance to the NCAA Midwest Region Tournament.

Before the weekend, the Lakers (20-6) were on the outside looking in holding the No. 9 ranking in the region. After beating Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan, the Lakers jumped Southern Indiana and Lewis for the No. 7 spot.

The Lakers are the fourth ranked team in the GLIAC behind No. 6 Michigan Tech, No. 3 Saginaw Valley State and No. 1 Ashland. Ashland is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation with a 27-0 record.

With one game left in the regular season before the GLIAC Tournament begins, the Lakers travel to Ferris State to face the Bulldogs Thursday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. GVSU throttled the Bulldogs 85-38 earlier in the season at home.