ALLENDALE, Mich. — No. 2 Grand Valley State scored goals in the fourth and sixth minutes and advanced to its tenth-consecutive GLIAC championship by defeating Ohio Dominican's women's soccer team 2-0 on Friday evening in a GLIAC semifinal match.

The Panthers (7-7-5, 5-3-3 GLIAC) were making their third-straight appearance in the GLIAC semifinals after defeating Northwood 2-1 (2OT) on Tuesday. ODU is one of just four GLIAC schools to come within two goals of the Lakers (18-1-1, 11-0-0 GLIAC) this season, holding GVSU well below its average of 4.37 goals per game in its third trip to Allendale to face the Lakers in 2016.

Sophomore goalkeeper Marissa Wierzbicki (Powell, Ohio) started the match for Ohio Dominican and recorded a season-high seven saves in just 45 minutes of action, while junior goalkeeper Kelsey Harris (Mason, Ohio) played the second half and finished with no goals allowed, while also tying a season-high in saves (seven) that included a penalty kick save in the 66th minute.  

Seniors Emily Riviello (Huber Heights, Ohio) and Amanda Fodor (Hilliard, Ohio) each finished with shots on goal in their final matches at Ohio Dominican, with the two players combining for 103 starts in their Panther careers.

Grand Valley State scored 3:01 into the match, as Gabriella Mencotti found the back of the net for her 25th goal of the year to take a 1-0 lead over Ohio Dominican. Just 1:07 later, Marti Corby scored from 21 yards out on a free kick for Grand Valley State to increase the Laker edge to 2-0 in the sixth minute.

The Panthers challenged the Laker defense later in the first half. Fodor pressed GVSU in the 20th minute with a shot on goal, and Riviello's shot at 24:23 was saved by Grand Valley State goalkeeper Jennifer Steinaway. But Grand Valley State's stingy defense held strong, earning the victory, 2-0.

The Panthers end their season with a fourth-place GLIAC regular season finish and earned a GLIAC tournament victory for the third-straight year.

Contact: Aaron McPherson
mcphersa@ohiodominican.edu