The Grand Valley State women’s soccer team impressed the world of Division II soccer this past year, going the entire season with zero losses and only one tie. The Lakers earned their spot in the national championship game in December, where they lost their first and only match but still emerged from a successful season.

National recognition is only one of many things the team achieved. Led by senior teammates such as Madz Ham and Tara Lierman, the Lakers’ success was consistent until the very last game of the season, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in both the GLIAC and NCAA brackets.

One player who stood out was sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Radice. She started all 27 games for the Lakers and made her home in the goal with 30 saves and earned a spot at national-best with 18 shutouts.

“It was a really unique experience compared to my freshman season,” Radice said. “We had some big names my freshman year, so this year we went into the season with some nerves, but also excitement to have such a young team.”

Most of the 2018 roster contained freshman and sophomores, with only a handful of seniors and one junior. Despite the large amount of underclassman on the team, the Lakers dominated their opponents and certainly had fun doing so. 

Radice attributed the team’s success to head coach Jeff Hosler and the rest of the coaching staff, who made the team feel welcomed, prepared and ready to play their hearts out. Radice said that this season was different than the experience she had her first year and was definitely more exciting as she took on more leadership. 

“We definitely went in with the mentality that every game is just a game, and everyone was going to play us the best they could,” Radice said. “It was huge to know that, just because we wear the GV logo, it doesn’t mean that everything is going to be easy, if anything it’s going to be harder.”

In order to create such success that the team did, they needed to play cohesively as one. As goalie, Radice is one of the biggest communicators on the field. The entire team relies on her direction. 

“You have to communicate with the defense, and really everyone else on the field,” Radice said. “We have such a phenomenal defense, so I don’t get as much action, especially this season, so they had to rely on me for other things, like communicating. It also helped me show that I was still committed to the team.”

In anticipation for next season, Radice and the Lakers have been working out through the winter. With open turf and other lifting sessions to stay in shape, the girls have continued to work toward their common end goal: winning the Division II National Championship. 

Radice says that the team stays focused using the mindset of taking it one day at a time, one thing at a time, one sprint at a time. Along with the team goals, though, Radice has some personal goals of her own.

“I’ll be staying in Allendale over the summer working, and I’ll still be able to have access to turf,” Radice said. “Last year I trained with Midwest club, so I might be able to pick up and play there. I also have individual stuff to work on, like maintaining my fitness, lots of running and getting touches on the ball.”

Looking into the future, Radice is looking forward to the competition she’ll face in her final two years as a Laker. Radice says that the team is very competitive and expects the energy to increase in the 2019 season. The addition of two more coaches on staff will also bring a new element to the team.

“Working toward the national championship is definitely something we focus on and want to earn,” Radice said. “There’s going to be a lot of competition, and we’re going to be fighting every minute toward that end goal. It’s an atmosphere I’m really excited to be a part of.”