Bulldogs Strike First Before Falling To GVSU

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's soccer team struck quickly, but defending national champion Grand Valley State responded to post a 3-1 decision over the Bulldogs in the West Michigan rivalry matchup on Wednesday (Sept. 28) evening at Allendale, Mich.

The Bulldogs opened the scoring only 5:55 into the contest as freshman midfielder Hillary Braun (Rochester Hills) notched her first goal of the campaign off a deflection near the center of the goal on a corner kick opportunity.

The FSU goal by Braun was the first goal scored against the Lakers on their home field since the 2009 campaign as they had not given up a goal in their last 19 matchups at home.

However, nationally fifth-ranked GVSU answered less than a minute later as Kayle Addison recorded her sixth goal of the year in unassisted fashion on a shot from the top of the box into the left side.

The Lakers would take their first lead at 13:43 as Ashley Botts tallied her eighth marker this season off assists from both Addison and Alyssa Mira.  The ball was played up the right side with two passes to Botts in the middle before she found the left side of the net to give GVSU a 2-1 edge.

Finally, the Lakers added one more first period goal on Maria Brown's second of the season at 24:50 in unassisted fashion.  The score came on a deflection off a ball in the air.

The two teams then played a scoreless second half at the GVSU Soccer Fields under overcast conditions.

The loss ended a three-match winning streak for the Bulldogs, who fell to 4-5-1 overall and 4-2-1 in the GLIAC.  Grand Valley State remainded unbeaten at 7-0-2 with the victory and the Lakers are currently 6-0-0 in conference action.

GVSU held a decisive 24-4 edge in total scoring chances and the Lakers had 17 shots on goal compared to only two for Ferris State.  Three of Ferris' four shots came in the first half of play.  Additionally, the Lakers also had nine corner kick opportunities to only four for the Bulldogs.

FSU did hold a 14-1 edge in saves as sophomore goalkeeper Rachel McCollum (Grand Blanc) tallied 13 saves in playing the initial 77:22 of the contest.  Freshman keeper Jessica Wineke (Rochester Hills/Adams) came on in relief and made a single save while allowing no goals in 12:38 of action.

Chelsea Parise played the entire 90 minutes in net for the Lakers and had one save while giving up the lone Bulldog goal.

Ferris State continues an eight-match road stretch with another league contest away from home this week as the Bulldogs venture to Columbus, Ohio, to face Ohio Dominican on Friday, Sept. 30.  Match time is set for 4 p.m. (ET).