After defeating Ferris State University 1-0 in Big Rapids Saturday afternoon, the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team locked up a perfect conference season.

GVSU (16-0-2, 15-0 GLIAC) extended its unbeaten run to 36 games while fighting for the win against the Bulldogs (7-8-3, 7-5-3 GLIAC) in less-than-desirable pitch conditions.

“I thought our kids did a good job battling and competing all day in pretty tough conditions that probably took away some of our athleticism,” said GVSU head coach Dave DiIanni.

There were areas on the field with standing water, and large portions of the field had two to three inches of mud.

“It slows down the game and makes play less attractive,” DiIanni said.

GVSU put up 11 shots in the win to Ferris State’s two. DiIanni said he was happy with the win, but his team failed to capitalize on all of its chances.

“We missed some chances in the second half to make the game a little easier for ourselves, but we still stayed with it and competed,” he said.

The lone goal came courtesy of junior forward Maria Brown at the 10 minute, 8 second mark, assisted by junior Kayla Addison.

“[Addison] ran down the sideline and made a really great pass inside and I got in front of the defender in front of me,” Brown said. “It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but I managed to get it just past the keeper.”

The goal was Brown’s ninth on the season.

The Laker defense continued in dominant form, blanking the Bulldogs for their eighth consecutive shutout.

Junior goalkeeper Chelsea Parise did not have to make a save in the game, and her opponent, Rachel McCollum, made five for the Bulldogs.

The Lakers received a bye in the GLIAC Tournament semifinals, where the Lakers will face either the No. 4- or No. 5-seeded team to be decided at Tuesday’s quarterfinal game on Friday. The tournament is in preparation for the NCAA National Championship.

The Lakers want to maximize playing at home as hosts of the tournament, an advantage earned as GLIAC regular season champions.

“Essentially we guaranteed ourselves a National Tournament berth winning the conference, so for us we want to get into the ‘win or go home’ mentality,” DiIanni said. “We want to take every game where winning does matter and that we don’t want to see anybody else playing in the GLIAC Tournament final on our field.”

The entire squad will take things easy this week, prior to beginning post-season play.

“We’re going to use the next couple of days to get healthy, rested, and focus on academics,” DiIanni said.

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