Nov. 16, 2006

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Pensacola, Fla. - Grand Valley State tallied a goal in each half en route to a 2-0 NCAA Semifinal win over Tampa Thursday afternoon in Pensacola, Fla. Sophomore forward Katy Tafler notched her 33rd goal of the season at the 14:09 mark of the first half on an assist from Shannon Carrier. Freshman Irie Dennis added the other goal for the Lakers on a breakaway at the 64:48 to give GVSU a 2-0 lead. GVSU will now take on Metro State on Saturday, November 18 at 11 am CT in Pensacola, Fla.

GVSU came out firing in the opening minutes as the Lakers tallied six shots in the opening 14 minutes, including a number of chances that nearly went into the net. Tafler ripped one of those shots past a Tampa defender and the ball appeared to be dipping down into the net but rattled off the crossbar and the top left post of the goal. The ball fell to the ground and was cleared away by the Spartan keeper.

Less than three minutes later Tafler made sure that her next shot would find the back of the net. After a deflection off a shot, Shannon Carrier found Tafler six yards out on the right side of the goal and the sophomore buried the ball into the goal to give GVSU a 1-0 lead. The goal was the first given up by Tampa all postseason.

The Spartans made a push to even up the game with 20 minutes to go in the half when Courtney Evans hit a shot from the top of the box that goalkeeper Kristina Nasturzio tipped as it hit the crossbar. Defender Katie Ales came over and cleared the ball that had fallen just in front of the goal. Senior defender Katie Rozum entered the contest with less than five minutes to go in the half and provided additional defensive pressure for the Lakers.

"Our backline did an exceptional job today against their front three," Head Coach Dave DiIanni said.

GVSU outshot Tampa 8-4 in the opening half, including 5-0 in shots on goal. The Lakers entered the contest 14-0-0 when leading at the break and would extend that mark to 15 wins.

Tampa opened with a charge less than 10 minutes into the second half when they pushed a ball behind the Laker backline. Defender Elena Sobolic beat the Spartan forward to the ball, knocking it back to Nasturzio who cleared it out of danger.

At the 64:48 mark Irie Dennis found herself on a breakaway of her own as she tallied her eighth goal of the year and gave Grand Valley a 2-0 lead. Tafler received a pass a few yards shy of midfield and turned and quickly found Dennis who was in front of a Tampa defender. The freshman speedster turned and pushed the ball ahead of her and the defender and chased it down. Dennis knocked a shot past the keeper from a few yards out to give GVSU a comfortable two goal lead.

"The second goal was a big deal for us, we really felt a lot more comfortable after that one went in," DiIanni added.

After Dennis' goal the Lakers dropped into a 5-3-2 formation to provide more help on the backline. The defense withstood the test and held on for the 2-0 victory.

"They took advantage of their chances today, they are a good team," Tampa Head Coach Bobby Johnston said.

The Lakers will now take on the winner of the West Chester/Metro State semifinal for the national championship on Saturday, November 18 at 11 am CT in Pensacola, Fla.