Sept. 2, 2008

Kansas City, Kan. - Grand Valley State University jumped two spots to No. 1 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas National Rankings on Sept. 2. After starting the season ranked third, the Lakers picked up a 1-0 win over previous No. 1 Tampa on Friday, Aug. 29, and a 5-0 win over Southern Indiana on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Tampa dropped down to sixth, while 2007 runner-up Franklin Pierce (N.H.) remained at No. 2. West Chester (Pa.), UC-San Diego and Incarnate Word (Tex.) round out the top five. No. 14 Northern Kentucky and No. 23 Wisconsin-Parkside are the only other teams from GVSU's region to be ranked in the top 25.

Junior Irie Dennis led the Laker offense in the two wins this week, scoring the game-winning goal in both matches. She finished the week with two goals and two assists. Senior Kristina Nasturzio recorded two saves over the weekend and played the full 90 minutes in a shutout of the defending national champion Spartans.