The Norse were stopped by Grand Valley for the second time in three years.
GOLDEN, Colo. – Ashley Botts scored one goal and assisted on another as the Grand Valley State University women's soccer team defeated Northern Kentucky, 3-1, in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Championship on Friday.
The loss ended NKU's season at 16-2-2. It is the second time in three years that NKU has advanced to the Midwest Region championship.
Botts got the Lakers (20-0-2) on the board in the seventh minute, dribbling in for a shot from 20 yards that beat NKU goalkeeper
Cassie Lingenhoel high to open the scoring. The goal was Botts' 19th on the season.
The Norse pulled back level when an attempted Laker clearance came off of defender Alyssa Wesley and into the Laker net.
NKU peppered Laker goalkeeper Chelsea Parise in the opening minutes of the second half, sending four shots on frame in the first 12 minutes out of the break, but failed to find the net.
Jessica Trost scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 80th minute, picking off an attempted Norse clearance and shooting from just outside the 18-yard box for her fourth of the season.
Kayla Addison added the dagger in the 85th minute, finishing a Botts cross for her 15th of the year.
Grand Valley State, the two-time defending national champion, now advances to the NCA A National Quarterfinals. The Lakers will face the host Colorado School of Mines on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals in Pensacola, Fla.
