Courtesy of Jake Levy, GVSU Director of Communications and Broadcasting
Game Recap: Women's Soccer | 12.14.2019
CHAMPS! Lakers capture sixth National Title
GVSU outlasts Western Washington, 1-0, in double overtime
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – In a season where the offense has been the story, it was the defense that stood tall to keep the Lakers alive until Gianna Parlove's golden-goal in the 107' to give the Grand Valley State Lakers their sixth National Championship in program history with a 1-0 win over Western Washington. The Lakers are National Champions for the first time since 2015, ending their season 25-1-0.
The Lakers withstood an onslaught of chances, especially in the second half. GVSU was out-shot 26-8 on the day, including 20-3 in the second half and overtime, but first team All-American Jessica Radice was up to the task, making a career-high eight saves in the match to keep the Vikings off the scoreboard.
"If you look at the box score, the better team lost today. But the fight we showed, the way our defense stepped up – particularly Jess – and then Abby (Willerer) and Liv (Olivia Trombley) when Cec (Cecilia Steinwascher) went down. That was incredible. It's hard to put into words how I feel right now," said head coach Jeff Hosler, who earned his third National Championship in six years as head coach at GVSU.
"We were not going to let (what happened last year) happen again," Radice said after the match. "I knew my back line had every rebound, so I felt comfortable to just go for the ball and know we would have it covered."
Gianna Parlove scored the only goal on the day after a foul near midfield set up an insert that, after a couple of touches, found its way through the back line where Parlove had a clear look at goal and she was composed and poised to strike the bouncing ball into the net, triggering the dog-pile and bringing the title home to Allendale.
"The feeling was just incredible. To be surrounded by my best friends and celebrate what we've worked so hard for all year," Parlove said. We showed so much resiliency today and I couldn't be happier."
The Vikings had 11 corner kicks in the second half. A team that prides themselves on scoring off set pieces, the frustration began to mount as countless punch-aways and deflections kept them from capitalizing. At the end of the first overtime, the Lakers gave the ball away and Western Washington pushed the ball up field in a blur, sending a shot towards the far post. Radice flung herself to deflect it and Sydney O'Donnell marked her attacker beautifully to deny a put-back that would have surely ended the day as the final seconds were ticking off in the first overtime.
The Lakers have set a new record for goals in a season, had three different 20-goal scorers and have been a more offensive-minded side than years past. But, in a tip-of-the-cap to the several alumni in attendance, the defense stood tall when it mattered most and the Lakers redemption season is complete.
They've got one for the other hand.