COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Dominican's women's soccer team gave two-time defending national champion and fifth-ranked Grand Valley State (Mich.) all it could handle and more Sunday afternoon at Panther Field, but in the end, the Lakers proved too resilient as they snuck away with the 1-0 victory.

With the shutout, ODU falls to 2-6-2 overall and 2-4-2 in the GLIAC, while GVSU, unbeaten in its last 27 contests, remains perfect in conference play at 8-0-0 and improves to 9-0-2 on the season. 

The Panthers held the Lakers, the top scoring team in the GLIAC entering the day at 3.00 goals per game, scoreless for the first half and seven minutes into the second before Charlie Socia headed in a corner kick from Erin Mruz to the far post for what proved to be the eventual game-winner. 

Despite just two shots, both on goal, ODU nearly took the lead late in the first half as junior Jennifer Holton (Johnstown, OH) lofted a shot from the close right wing to the back side of the goal, but the ball just grazed the crossbar on its descent.

The Panthers defense put together one of its best efforts of the season limiting the potent GVSU offense to its lowest shot total of the year with 12 and its second lowest total of shots on goal with six. Freshman Laura Clark (Lapeer, MI) also recorded a solid outing in goal as she finished with five key saves. 

ODU steps out of conference for a mid-week contest at 3 p.m. this Wednesday, Oct. 5 as Mercyhurst (Pa.) visits Panther Field for the first time. 

Contact: Bryan Desch
deschb@ohiodominican.edu