The Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team saw the greatest regular season winning streak in program history come to an end last weekend. The team started the weekend by downing Michigan Technological University 5-0 on Friday, but dropped a 1-0 overtime shocker against Northern Michigan University on Sunday.

The loss to the Wildcats was the Lakers’ first loss in GLIAC play since 2006, making it the only loss any player on the current roster has suffered against a conference foe. The Lakers (5-1-1, 3-1-1 GLIAC) had won 65 straight regular season matchups, including 43 consecutive against GLIAC opponents.

Northern Michigan came into the game unbeaten at 2-0-3, and were constantly on defense against the Laker offense. But, GVSU could not find the back of the net despite outshooting the Wildcats 20-8, including a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks.

The game remained scoreless into overtime when just over 90 seconds in Northern Michigan sophomore Becky Schmidt scored on a free kick past GVSU goalie Chelsea Parise. The score immediately ended the Lakers’ winning streak and sent the Northern Michigan crowd into a frenzy.

After the game, GVSU head coach Dave DiIanni said Northern Michigan deserved much praise for their play.

“All credit goes to Northern Michigan today. They are a very difficult team to play against, especially on their home field because they are sound defensively and work extremely hard for one another,” he told GVSU’s athletic website. “We carried the majority of play today and had the opportunities for sure to score and loosen them up, but we weren’t able to capitalize. I think it is important for our team to figure out what we want out of this season and once that happens, work on being consistent with our energy, focus and leadership.”

Senior Kristen Eible said the team had their chances but could not convert on their many scoring opportunities.

“We just couldn’t score,” she said. “Their best shot on goal was the goal that went in during overtime. We held possession for the majority of the game, and in the final third we were just unable to finish.”

In the first game of the weekend against Michigan Tech, the Huskies stayed with GVSU during the first 20 minutes of the game before sophomore forward Ashley Botts scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season off a pass from senior defender Jenna Wenglinski. Just seconds later, sophomore forward Kayla Addison tied Botts with her fourth goal of the season off a penalty kick as the Lakers took a 2-0 lead in less than a minute.

Freshman goalkeeper Michelle Marcus saw the first action of her collegiate career, stepping in for the usual starter Parise, who was given the day off. The Laker defense barely gave Marcus anything to worry about as she needed to turn away just a single shot in her first shutout.

Finally ending a stretch of five straight games on the road, Botts said the entire team is excited to get back to playing at Laker Field.

“We’ve been traveling for the last couple weekends,” she said. “We’re all really eager to get back and play on our home turf.”

The Lakers will face Lake Erie College, one of two new members of the GLIAC, on Friday at 4 p.m. before ending the weekend at home against Ashland University at noon.

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