The Grand Valley State women’s lacrosse team took to the road once again to face off against two GLIAC opponents over the weekend. 

On Friday, April 13, the Lakers traveled to Indiana to take on No. 15 ranked University of Indianapolis and then to Illinois to play McKendree University on Sunday, April 15. The Lakers would split the weekend series after dropping the first matchup 18-16 against UIndy but redeeming themselves with a 21-10 victory over McKendree.

GVSU 16, UIndy 18

The Lakers started off the game strong against UIndy, jumping to an early 2-0 lead with one goal each by Meggan Loyd and Erika Neumen. UIndy responded with two goals of their own to tie the contest in the first. 

Abbi O’Neal brought the lead back for the Lakers with an unassisted goal, but that lead did not last for long as UIndy fired back with two goals to make the score 4-3. GVSU rattled off three in a row following that to make the lead 6-4. The teams continued to trade goals back and forth for the remainder of the first half. GVSU finished the half with a 10-9 lead. 

UIndy opened up the scoring in the second half with two quick goals to take the lead, but GVSU retaliated with three straight goals to put the team up 13-11. After that, UIndy went on to score four unanswered goals and did not give the lead up from there. Final score: UIndy 18, GVSU 16.

Neumen and Carly Shisler were the big performers for the Lakers in this game. Neumen had five goals for the team, and Shisler scored four goals and tacked on two assists for a total of 6 points. Bailey, Datema and Loyd each had a goal for the team. 

“We didn’t play to win,” said GVSU head coach Alicia Groveston. “We came out a little flat and didn’t gain the intensity that we needed to beat a solid team. We had our moments and multiple leads but couldn’t close the game. Poor decision-making and execution down the stretch hurt us.”

GVSU 21, McKendree 10

Game two of the weekend would be a bit smoother for GVSU. McKendree struck first in the game, but the Lakers responded immediately with two straight goals. McKendree then scored two in a row to make the score 3-2. The Lakers would go on a 4-0 run to make the score 6-3. McKendree found the back of the net one more time before the half. The Lakers went into the half with a two-goal run, and the score at halftime was 8-5, advantage Lakers. 

The second half is where the Lakers separated themselves from their opponents. GVSU scored five straight goals out of halftime and did not give up the lead for the rest of the game. The final score was 21-10, with GVSU taking the win. 

Shisler continued her big weekend for the team in this game. She scored six goals and had one assist for 7 total points. Kelley Fitzgerald had 3 points, and both Ashley Bailey and Meghan Datema finished with 4 points apiece.

“The team started a little slow but picked up the intensity slowly after,” Groveston said. “In the second half, we played the way we should: aggressive and strong defense, and solid transition which turns into quality scoring opportunities.” 

The GVSU women’s lacrosse team will be back in Allendale this weekend to take on Northern Michigan on Friday, April 20, and Concordia St. Paul on Sunday, April 22.