Courtesy of Grand Valley St. Athletic Communications

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | 12.12.2019

No. 2 GVSU advances to NCAA Championship with 3-2 win over No. 11 Saint Rose

Lakers will play for program's sixth National Title on Saturday

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The No. 2 Grand Valley State Lakers will make the program's tenth appearance in the NCAA Championship match after holding off the No. 11 Saint Rose Golden Knights, 3-2, Thursday (Dec. 12) afternoon in the NCAA semifinals at Highmark Stadium. The Lakers improve to 24-1 on the season and will face the winner of Thursday's second semifinal between Flagler and Western Washington on Saturday at noon.
 
The Lakers held a 32-5 edge in shots, including a 26-1 ledger in the first half, despite the narrow score line. GVSU would twice take two-goal advantages only to see the Golden Knights trim the lead to one, but the Lakers would do just enough to hold off an equalizer.
 
The top three goal-scorers for the Lakers this season all found the back of the net on Thursday. Ava Cook scored her national-best 29^th goal of the season in the 22' to break the scoreless tie. She collected the ball in the middle of the field, fought through her defender and smashed a line drive into the corner netting to put the Lakers in front.
 
Despite the heavy shot advantage in the opening period, the Lakers' lead was just one until the closing minutes of the half. With just over two minutes until the break, Cook worked her way to the touch line, drew the defense, then rolled a centering pass to Gianna Parlove to turn on frame. The goalkeeper made a sprawling save, but Chantel Carranza was her usual self – right on the spot – to tap in the rebound for her 23^rd goal of the season and double the advantage.
 
A lofted ball over the Laker defense found a Golden Knight's foot in the 56' and Kaelyn Britt went top shelf to get Saint Rose back within a goal. With the Lakers seemingly reeling a bit after the concession, a brilliant combo from Parlove set up Caitie Baron to cross the ball in front of goal where a sliding Riko Sagara was able to get a touch and redirect it home to regain the two-goal lead. Another big ball over the top, compounded by some miscommunication, led to a one-v-one for Morgan Burchhardt and she went far-post to once again pull within a goal.
 
The final quarter-hour was tense as the Lakers did their best to hold off Saint Rose. A couple of probes and a save from Jessica Radice kept the Lakers ahead as the final seconds ticked off to advance the Lakers to Saturday's National Championship. GVSULakers.com will provide links to all live coverage and @GVSUSoccer will have live Twitter updates throughout the rest of the weekend.
 

Team Statistics