Huskies Fall in GLIAC Quarterfinal Match at Grand Valley State

• Box Score

ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team saw the 2017 season come to a close on Tuesday afternoon, falling at third ranked Grand Valley State 5-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinals. The Huskies stayed close by limiting the Lakers to one goal in the first half, but GVSU pulled away with four second period goals leading to the final result.

"We had a pretty strong first half and played with Grand Valley State," Michigan Tech Head Coach Michelle Jacob said. "I thought we did a great job defending as a team to try and minimize their attack. In the second half, they were the stronger team and really pressured us and wore us down. Our players never stopped fighting and continued to make a couple of scoring chances happen for us late in the game. We are proud of the efforts of our players."

Grand Valley State (16-3-0) put some pressure on early as Gabriella Mencotti forced senior goalie Kirsen Hudak to make three saves in the first 14 minutes of the contest. Hudak and the Michigan Tech (5-11-1) defense kept the Lakers at bay until the 25^th minute of the match. Cecilia Steinwascher picked up her third goal of the season on a strike that found an opening in the corner of the net. Gianna Parlove picked up the assist with a corner pass to the top of the box.

The Huskies countered just over a minute later as freshman Leah Goldman made a bid to tie the contest with a shot on goal. GVSU goalie Jennifer Steinaway was able to make the save to keep the Lakers in front 1-0. Meanwhile, Hudak went on to make three more saves during the last 20 minutes of the first half to keep the Huskies within striking distance.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for the Lakers to extend their advantage in the second half. Ava Cook found the mark on a shot for her 10^th goal of the season to make it 2-0 in the 50^th minute. The Lakers then added a goal by Mencotti in the 56^th minute and two goals by Corey Sawall in the 69^th and 86^th minutes.

However, the Huskies kept battling and moving the ball forward to try and get scoring chances. Freshman Emily Zeitunian, who is the team leader in assists, nearly got Tech on the board in the 86^th minute. Her blast which headed towards the net had to be turned away by goalie Jessica Radice.

Goldman and Zeitunian led the Huskies' offense with a shot on goal each and on defense Hudak recorded 14 saves in 90 minutes. She had a career high 15 saves against Ferris State on October 22^nd and finishes her outstanding career at Tech with 222 saves in four seasons.

Grand Valley State was powered by Mencotti, who turned in a match high nine shots with one  goal. Sawall followed with three shots which led to a pair of goals for the Lakers on Tuesday afternoon. Steinaway and Radice both split time on front of the net, with each player making one save. Steinaway was credited with her 16^th victory of the season.

Grand Valley State moves on to the GLIAC Semifinals which begin on Friday with the championship match slated for Sunday.

The official GLIAC Tournament website can be viewed by clicking here.