Grand Valley: Fall Ball Recap
Grand Valley State University competes in the MCLA Division II, in the CCLA conference. After loosing in quadruple overtime in the national semi-finals, this year is about fulfilling the dream of winning a nation title.
Since we are a club team, we are allowed to have more than one play-day in the fall. First on the schedule was Michigan State. With the University of Michigan moving to NCAA division I, Michigan State is the clear number one in the CCLA. After and extremely close game, we defeated the Spartan 11-10 at home in our indoor turf building.
Next we traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to play in the Lake Front Classic. The teams included: host Carthage, Illinois, Wisconsin, St. Thomas, and Grand Valley.
On Saturday all the games were short time, as Carthage would be playing all teams since NCAA rules only allow them one play day. Our first game was against Wisconsin, we got up 11-2, before putting in our third string goalie. We still ended up winning the game 12-7.
In our second game we definitely came out flat, and some how manged to lose to the fight Illini in overtime 10-11. This was probably the worst we’ve played, and would play, all fall.
Third game on Saturday was against Carthage. This was probably the best game to watch as a fan of the day. Although Carthage won 12-8, the game was much closer than the score would suggest.
In the last game of our weekend was against St. Thomas, who has been in the MCLA division II finals three out of the past four years. This was a full game, and a real test of where we were at. We had a huge third quarter that gave us a big lead, and we were able to hold on and beat the Tommies 12-11
A week after traveling to Wisconsin, we just traveled up the road to Rockford High School where we took on Central Michigan University. We absolutely manhandled the chipps 18-4.
The coaches preseason poll put us to finish 4th this season. This was largely due to us loosing in the national semi’s, and clearly didn’t account for additions to the team. With three transfers, included two varsity players, and a handful of great freshmen talent, it’s a National Title or bust in our mind.
Pride. Work. Win.
GV
