ALLENDALE, Mich.--The Bellarmine University women's soccer team suffered a gut-wrenching loss as No. 1 seed and host Grand Valley State scored on a penalty kick in the 85th minute to squeak by the 4th-seeded Knights 1-0 today in an NCAA second round game.
"I couldn't be prouder of the way we played," said Coach Jonathan Velotta. "Grand Valley is a terrific team, and It was a tough way to lose."
The Lakers' winning goal was set up when a foul was called on Bellarmine in the box at the 84:33 mark of the game. The ensuing penalty kick by Grand Valley State's Natalja Stanski sailed past Bellarmine keeper
Amy Kunowski for the 1-0 lead and the subsequent victory.
Grand Valley outshot the Knights 25-4 for the game, but Kunowski had a career-best 10 saves on the day. "Amy's positioning and decision-making were tremendous today," Velotta said. "She never gets nervous, and for a freshman to play like that in a game this big speaks volumes about the kind of player she is."
"The shots are misleading, though." Velotta continued, "because they weren't getting that many great opportunities. Our (defensive) back four were strong today. Grand Valley has a lot of outstanding, athletic players, and we did a great job of staying with the game plan."
Although the loss ends Bellarmine's season, the Knights (14-4-1) can take encouragement that 2009 will go down as the best women's soccer season in school history. Among the milestones and school records achieved by this year's squad:
- best winning percentage (.763)
- most wins (14--tied with 2006 team)
- first team to reach the NCAA tournament
- highest national ranking attained (20th)
- fewest goal allowed in a season (previous record was 17)
Velotta said the future looks bright for the Knights. "We have a lot of our top players returning, and we'll take this experience and learn from it," he said. "We expect to be back to the NCAA Tournament."
For Grand Valley State (19-0-3), the victory sends them to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals where they will face Northern Kentucky on Friday, Nov. 20.
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