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GVL/Andrew Mills
Stealing the ball: Senior forward Ashley Elsass makes contact with Northern Michigan mid-fielder Emily Lockery during Friday afternoon's home game. The Lakers beat Northern for their tenth straight shutout.

Soccer beats Northern in second go around

By Rebecca Beard
10/13/2008

For the second time this season, the Lakers' women's soccer team faced the music; and for the second time, they came out victorious.

No. 1 Grand Valley State University defeated the Northern Michigan Wildcats 2-0 on Friday, taking their record to 13-0.

Less than two minutes into play, senior forward Katy Tafler set the tempo when she knocked in a goal past Wildcats goalkeeper Kara Music, with an assist from junior forward Irie Dennis.

"I was excited to see that we came out early and scored a goal ... that hasn't happened the last couple of games," said GVSU head coach David DiIanni. "It was good for us to strike early."

The Lakers' other goal came late in the first period from senior forward Ashley Elsass, shortly after Music and one of her Wildcat teammates collided near the goal.

Tafler and sophomore forward Erika Pitroff picked up assists on the goal, which was the last of the game.

"I was a little disappointed with the second half," DiIanni said. "I thought we could've come out and gotten that third goal. But the positives were we got good shots and opportunities out of our midfield."

GVSU outshot Northern Michigan 13-4 and continued their rhythm of out fouling opponents by picking up 15 of the game's 19.

When the two teams last squared off on Sept. 19, GVSU won 1-0, but several players said they were pleased to set a different tone in the encore.

"The last time (we played Northern Michigan) we came out pretty flat," said junior defender Amber Bloem. "We came out with much more energy this game and moved the ball a lot better."

Tafler agreed and added they lacked intensity in their first matchup, but got more in sync for the rematch.

"This time we were on our home field and we knew what we did last time," she said. "We wanted to make sure we came out and showed them what kind of team we are right from the start."

Senior goalkeeper Kristina Nasturzio made two saves -- one a diving stop and the other tipping the ball over the goal -- to notch her 10th shutout.

Overall, it was the 12th shutout of the season for the Lakers, whose defense has hit all the right notes, giving up only two goals this year.

"We have a lot of athletic girls on defense," Bloem said. "Obviously we have a lot of new girls, but with Kristina (Nasturzio) back there making some sweet saves, we've been strong."

It is important to maintain their harmony throughout the rest of the season, she added.

"Each game is important to us," Bloem said. "We want home-field advantage and to go strong into the national championship."

The Lakers will host the University of Findlay at 4 p.m. on Friday.

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