Box Score

The 2009 Women's Soccer squad proudly displays their effort in grabbing the NCAA Runner-Up trophy

Cal St. Dom. Hills CSUDH (16-9-3)

Grand Valley State GVSU (22-0-4)

Cal St. Dom. Hills CSUDH

(16-9-3)

Final

Dec. 05, 2009

Grand Valley State GVSU

(22-0-4)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Cal St. Dom. Hills CSUDH	0	0	0
Grand Valley State GVSU	0	1	1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | 12/5/2009 10:59:00 AM

No. 15 Toros Fall to No. 3 Grand Valley State in NCAA Title Game, 1-0

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. -- Defense was the operative word in the 2009 NCAA Division II Title game between 3rd-ranked Grand Valley State and 15th-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills on a windy day in Pepin Stadium on the campus of the University of Tampa, but GVSU's offensive flurries finally paid dividends in the 77th minute as freshman Ashley Botts tallied the game-winner on a rebound for the NCAA Title.

"Grand Valley definitely passed the ball really well and dictated the flow of the game later on," said head coach Joe Flanagan of the Lakers' offensive push. "At the end they started to establish possession more and that's what did it."

With just over 13 minutes left in regulation, Laker Kristen Eible's shot forced #Alyssa Congdon# to dive on the line before Botts collected the rebound and slipped her attempt past a fallen Congdon for the goal.

The Toros had their first chance of the day early in the first after a #Melissa Livergood# header just landed in Laker keeper Chelsea Parise's hands on the right side of the frame.

Two more shots on frame from CSUDH led to offensive pressure from the Lakers, giving way to an immaculate Congdon save at the 35th-minute in which the Torrance native timed her jump perfectly on an escalating line drive, and delivered a one-handed punch to deflect the shot up and over the crossbar to keep the GVS off the board.

Five minutes later, GVSU's Botts collected a loose ball in the box after a scrum, and sent her shot off the right post. Alyssa Mira collected the ensuing rebound and sent her shot towards a waiting Congdon, who was more than ready to grab the save and send the game into a scoreless break five minutes later.

With four total shots on the day, a team-high, All-Tournament selection #Jessica Murphy# looked back on her fist shot of the day just three minutes into play that nicked the top post.

"I told myself before the game that my first shot was going to be on frame," Murphy reflected. "I wanted to do it for my team and when it hit the post I was in shock, it just wasn't my chance."

Facing eight chances, All-Tournament selection Congdon made seven saves to keep CSUDH in the contest.

"For whatever reason, come playoff time Alyssa stepped it up tremendously in goal," said a proud Flanagan of his star keeper. "Her intensity and focus was on another level. She wanted it more than anybody I think and her play was outstanding throughout."

The loss brings the Toros to 16-9-3 for 2009 after making their first appearance in the NCAA Final Four since 1997. Grand Valley finishes with a 22-0-4 clip and its first NCAA Women's Soccer title in the history of the program. The Toros last grabbed the title in 1991, having made four total appearances in the Final Four.

"It's obviously not the result that we wanted but it a was great run to get here," said Flanagan of the season. "To be runners up is a great honor as well."

Cutting through her emotion, Murphy closed the post-game interview with a smile and a quick prediction for the 2010 season, "We'll be back," she said with confidence.

2009 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championships All Tournament Team:
Nicola D'Errico, St. Rose
Meagan McKinney, St. Rose
Kaley Morris, West Florida
Shaneka Gordon, West Florida
Jessica Murphy, Cal State Dominguez Hills
#Yadira Gomez#, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Alyssa Congdon, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Jenna Wenglinski, Grand Valley State
Irie Dennis, Grand Valley State
Ashley Botts, Grand Valley State
Kristin Eible, Grand Valley State
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Jenna Wenglinski, Grand Valley State
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Kristin Eible, Grand Valley State

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