Oct. 9, 2007

Bay City, Mich. - Sue Christenson won Grand Valley State's third consecutive GLIAC Player of the Week award on Monday, highlighting a strong week for the #1 Lakers. GVSU was the top team on the NSCAA polls for the sixth straight week and Katy Tafler became the all-time leading point scorer at Grand Valley after scoring 14 points over the weekend.

Christenson was the anchor of a stellar defensive effort by the Lakers. Christenson and the rest of the Laker defense shut down both #23 Mercyhurst and Gannon this weekend. Mercyhurst was held to just two shots on goal, and Gannon was held to just one as GVSU posted a pair of 4-0 wins. Christenson and the Laker defense have been excellent all season, holding opposing attackers to just four goals through 12 matches, while allowing just 29 shots on goal this season.

Tafler raised her season goal total to 25 after notching all four of GVSU's goals against Mercyhurst on Friday and another three against Gannon on Sunday. Her 25 goals and eight assists give her 58 points on the season and 189 in her career, which surpasses Mirela Tutundzic's total of 184, the previous all-time high at Grand Valley State. Her 83 career goals are also an all-time high at GVSU. Tafler had won the previous two GLIAC Player of the Week awards.

The Lakers also rank high nationally in many different categories. GVSU averages 4.58 goals per game, which is good enough for second place, just behind Wilmington (Del.), who scores 4.64 goals per game. In goals-against average, the Lakers rank third (0.333), while St. Rose is first (0.223). Grand Valley State is also sixth in shutout percentage with a 0.667 mark. Individually, two Lakers are putting up stellar numbers. Tafler is ranked first in points per game (4.83) and goals per game (2.083). Kristina Nasturzio ranks first in goals-against average (0.18) and fifth in save percentage (0.926).

GVSU is one of just two teams in Div. II, along with Seattle Pacific, that has won all of their games. The Lakers host their final two home games of the regular season this weekend, taking on Northwood University on Friday at 4 p.m. and Saginaw Valley State University on Sunday at 12 noon.