Wednesday, December 2, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – After 3-1 victory over Dallas Baptist, the Western Washington women’s soccer team extended their unbeaten streak to 20 matches. With the win, the Vikings advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships, but will be faced with their most difficult challenge of the season in two-time reigning champions Grand Valley State.

The Lakers represent just the next obstacle to overcome for Western Washington in its quest for a national title, but will test the Vikings in all phases on the soccer pitch on Thursday.

Both teams enter the match with similar stories this season. Grand Valley State entered the tournament as the No. 1 ranked team in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top-25 poll, with the Vikings ranked No. 2. The Lakers fell in their opening match of the season, and have since rolled off 22-straight matches without a loss. The Vikings are on a current 20-match unbeaten streak after last falling in their third match of the season. Both teams enter with identical records of 21-1-1 and both dominated their respective conferences with undefeated seasons.

Each of these two teams went undefeated at home, and will hence meet on a neutral site in Pensacola, Fla. Western Washington has had three close matches in the playoffs, narrowly defeating Seattle Pacific 1-0 on an 86th minute goal and winning over Azusa Pacific 1-0 as well. Grand Valley State rolled over its first opponent 6-0, but then defeated Bellarmine closely 2-1 and was forced to a penalty kick shootout in the quarterfinals against Central Missouri.

The teams have been battle tested, but still stand with just four teams left playing in Division II women’s soccer. While the Vikings had an outstanding season in the GNAC, their opponent on Thursday had arguably the most dominant season of any team in the nation. The Lakers have outscored opponents by 90 goals this year, scoring 99 while allowing just nine. The team averaged 4.30 goals per game and 0.39 goals allowed per game.

While Grand Valley State has won the last two national titles, Western Washington enters as an experienced playoff team as well. The Vikings are in the midst of their fourth straight national tournament appearance and have reached their second Final Four in three years.

Western Washington may be seen as the underdogs across the nation, facing the two-time reigning champions, but the Vikings are poised for an upset win. While the Lakers will be Western Washington’s toughest challenge, the Vikings will also represent the greatest test for GVSU. Western Washington and Grand Valley State meet on the soccer pitch at 12 p.m. Pacific time on Thursday, Dec. 3 in Pensacola, Fla.