On a day when the Grand Valley State women's soccer team honored its six seniors, it was only appropriate for the class of 2014 members to make the biggest impact in a championship-clinching victory. Seniors accounted for two goals and two assists as the No. 10 Lakers dictated nearly every minute of their 3-0 win over Walsh, claiming a share of their 10^th consecutive GLIAC regular season title once the final horn sounded in Allendale.
 
For the sixth time this season, senior forward Jenny Shaba tallied a goal and an assist. Redshirt senior defender Kaely Schlosser scored her second goal of the year. Senior defender Juane Odendaal notched an assist. With three saves, senior goalkeeper Andrea Strauss earned her 11^th shutout of the season. Seniors Alyssa Wesley and Charlie Socia both started and helped the Laker defense limit the Cavaliers to a mere three shots.
 
In short, the senior class ensured this string of league titles would not end on their watch.
 
"Winning the conference is a goal every year. What this program has been able to do is tremendous," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "To have attained that 10 times says a lot about Grand Valley State soccer."
 
The emotions surrounding senior day led to another slow start, but once their passing became more fluent and their defense got organized, the Lakers were dominant. Yet another stout defensive performance culminated in the club's fourth consecutive shutout.
 
"Once we got through that first 10 minutes we did a really good job of taking the game to them," said Hosler. "Our defense, as a group, was very, very good. We are playing really well behind the ball right now and I'm really proud of that collective effort."
 
The match's first goal came from sophomore midfielder Marti Corby in the 29^th minute. A bouncing ball found its way into the 18-yard box, where Corby settled it and rifled a shot past a diving Dani Shambaugh. The Ada, Michigan native now has 10 goals on the year.
 
From there on out, the seniors took control.
 
Schlosser extended the lead in the 41^st minute by linking up with Shaba. A pretty serve from the nearside corner created a dangerous scoring chance, which Schlosser took full advantage of, heading the ball off the bottom of the crossbar and past the goal line.
 
"She is just a really intelligent kid," said Hosler. "The run she made to score was a little bit out of the set piece, but she recognized an opportunity to make a play, and a space to get into, and converted with her head."
 
Less than 13 minutes into the second stanza, two seniors teamed up to punctuate the win. A gorgeous 25-yard service from Odendaal carried past Walsh's back line and found the head of Shaba, who finished it off for her seventh tally of the year.
 
"I see a sense of urgency in (Shaba) that I haven't seen all year," said Hosler. "I've seen it in training consistently. I see the work rate and desire being there. She is looking to take over games now instead of differing to other players. That's a good sign moving forward."
 
GVSU moved to 15-2-1 overall and turned in a 10-1-1 GLIAC record. The Lakers will share the regular season title with Ohio Dominican. Moreover, the club will be the No. 2 seed in the GLIAC Tournament, due to its head-to-head loss against the Panthers earlier this season.
 
Winning another regular season title is certainly something GVSU takes great pride in, but this group is itching to start postseason play. Given what Hosler has seen from his team as of late, there is every reason to believe the Lakers are getting ready to hit their stride.
 
"In some regards, there's almost a sigh of relief that we are entering the postseason," said Hosler, momentarily pausing to grin. "I've sensed a vibe that, with this group, this is the time of year they want to play for.
 
"Now we are here."
 
GVSU will face Ferris State in Allendale to kick off the GLIAC Tournament. The quarterfinal match is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday (Nov. 4).

Notes:
-GVSU is now 3-0-0 in matches against Walsh, totaling a score of 13-0 in those victories
-The Lakers improved to 15-4-0 in matches played on senior day
-In matches when the Lakers have scored at least three goals, they carry a 194-1-0 all-time record, including a 13-0-0 mark this season
-With her goal and assist today, Jenny Shaba moved into a tie for ninth in career goals (30) and a tie for seventh in career assists (29) in the GVSU record book
-Shaba's 13 assists this season are tied for the fourth-most by a Laker in a single campaign
-Andrea Strauss moved past Erin Murphy and into fifth place in the GVSU record book with her 15th career victory
-This was the ninth time this year GVSU won a match by at least three goals