Box Score Allendale, Mich. ---  Minnesota State was unable to secure its first-ever Final Four berth Sunday afternoon at GVSU soccer field as it lost in a seven-round shootout, 5-4, to Grand Valley State after completing a miraculous comeback in the final seven minutes of regulation.

The Lakers struck first in the 11th minute when All-American Ashley Botts got behind the Maverick back line and beat MSU netminder Molly McGough in the upper right hand corner giving GVSU a 1-0 lead.

Minnesota State was able to generate a much more consistent offensive attack in the half’s final ten minutes, but the Lakers held a 10-3 advantage in shots heading into the locker room.

The Mavericks came out strong after the break controlling possession through the first thirty minutes, but a costly turnover in the 70th minute created a breakway for Grand Valley’s Casey McMillan who snuck a shot past a diving McGough to extend the lead to two.

In the 83rd minute, MSU was awarded a free kick from just outside the box that junior Caitlin Graboski buried into the right side to bring the Mavericks within one.

Two minutes later a pair of sophomores connected for Minnesota State in front of GVSU goalkeeper Chelsea Parise as Emily Moris found a streaking Breanna Steele who tucked a shot under the crossbar to tie the match at two goals a piece.

Neither team could find the net in either overtime period forcing a second straight match-deciding shootout for Minnesota State.

The Lakers and Mavericks were tied 3-3 after each team’s five scheduled shooters as Parise and McGough each made two fantastic saves.  MSU senior Ashley Sykora and GVSU’s Kelly Capoccia traded goals in round six, but senior Nicole Dooher narrowly missed in round seven and Taylor Callen converted for the Lakers to secure a berth in the Final Four.

Minnesota State (17-1-5) completes the best season in school history having advanced farther in the NCAA Tournament than any team in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference history, while setting numerous team and individual records along the way.