ALLENDALE, Mich. – Drury falls to Grand Valley State in the NCAA-II Midwest Regional Championship on December 1, 2-0, to end their historic season.
The Panthers' offense controlled a scoreless first half. The Lakers' early push was stopped by an offside. Following the offside, Drury went on a run, with their best attack coming from a corner kick.
Elena Perez found
Andrea Camargo, whose header was blocked in the net.
Following the attempt from Camargo, the Panthers and Lakers went back and forth swapping offensive possessions. The final 15 minutes of the half saw Drury on the attack for the majority of the time, firing shots and taking corners.
Drury recorded seven shots in the first 45 minutes with only one on net. There were five corner kicks taken by the Panthers compared to GVSU's one corner and three shots.
Katy Fitzler recorded one save in the first half.
Grand Valley looked completely different in the second half, setting the pace for the remainder of the game. The Lakers got two shots on goal in the first five minutes of the second half, resulting in saves by Fitzler.
The Lakers were able to find the net twice within two minutes of each other at the 71st and 72nd minute. Drury's intensity would pick up in the final 15, trailing by two. This resulted in seven shots. Grand Valley's all-region keeper would step up when it mattered and not let one in to secure the GVSU win, 2-0.
The Panthers had 14 shots in total, two on goal. Drury outshot the Lakers by seven. Grand Valley was efficient with its shots; five of its seven were on goal. Fitzler ended the game with three saves.
Grand Valley will travel to either Warrensburg, Missouri, or Mankato, Minnesota, to face the winner of the central regional championship, Central Missouri or Minnesota State, on December 7.
The Panthers' season ended in the regional championship for the second time in program history. Drury finishes the season with the best regular season winning percentage in program history, .833.
Katy Fitzler tied the program's season record of shutouts with 14, which currently leads the nation.
Justin Olson reached his 100th career win during the course of the season. Eleven seniors will graduate from Drury. The senior class has been a part of the two winningest seasons in Panther history, 2024 and 2021.
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