Soccer Advances to GLIAC Championship With Win Over Ashland

ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team advanced to its first GLIAC Championship Game with a 2-1 win over Ashland on Friday (Nov. 8) afternoon from the GVSU Soccer Field. Lindsey Van Rooy scored two goals in a span of 34 seconds in the first half. The Huskies held off the Eagles late to improve to 14-4-1 on the season.

"We had a really phenomenal start to the game today," Tech coach Michelle Jacob said. "Lindsey had two beautiful goals to start the game."

Van Rooy scored her first of the game, and sixth of the season, 10:27 after the opening kick.

Alyssa Hynnek then fed a cross to Van Rooy and she buried her second of the game at 11:01. Also assisting on the goal was Lexi Herrewig.

"We did a great job to come out strong and press them throughout the game," added Jacob. "I think that we came out wanting to win the game and that's the way we played."

The Huskies had numerous other quality scoring chances but couldn't get another shot past Ashland goalkeeper Rebecca Plescia who had nine saves on the day.

Ashland (10-6-2) scored its only goal at the 59:44 mark with an unassisted tally by Haley Frick.

"It got little bit dicey in the second half," said Jacob. "Ashland had a little bit of momentum but in the end we were able to combat that. The last 15 minutes I thought we did a good job of possessing the ball, moving it forward and not giving them much of an opportunity."

Jenna Phelps (8-3-0) picked up the win between the pipes for Tech, stopping four Eagles shots.

Tech generated 22 shots on the day, including 11 on goal.

"I thought Lexi had a phenomenal game today," Jacob said. "She attacked hard and her and Katie Boardman created a lot of quality shots that just didn't fall. Emily Morin and MacKenzie Jordon back on the defense had a great game for us. Everyone had a great game."

Tech now plays in the championship game against tournament host and No. 1-ranked Grand Valley State on Sunday (Nov. 10). The Lakers shutout Ferris State 7-0 in the late semifinal game on Friday.

Tech and Grand Valley played on Oct. 25 at Sherman Field in their only meeting of the season. The Lakers squeaked out a 2-1 win.

The championship game begins at 1 p.m. and can be viewed for free at GVSULakers.com.