Tiffin University (11-8) hoped to not have a repeat of their 19-8 loss to Grand Valley State two weeks ago as they took on the Lakers in a rematch in the GLIAC Tournament Championship game played at Grand Valley State May 3.
Unfortunately for the Dragons, the game proved to be all too reminiscent of the earlier contest, as TU battled the Lakers throughout a tight first half but could not keep pace in the second half, falling 22-13.
Tiffin opened strong, taking a quick 2-1 lead. The Lakers bounced back to score 5 straight goals and lead 6-2. Tiffin responded with 3 goals of their own to pull to within 6-5 with 10:26 left in the first half.
TU trailed 10-8 at the half and looked to seize the momentum when they scored a quick goal in the second half to pull to within 10-9. But again the Lakers put distance between themselves and the Dragons, scoring 4 straight goals to take a commanding 14-9 lead. TU struggled to win the draw controls throughout the day, as GVSU held a 25-12 edge, and it hurt TU severely in the second half. GVSU outscored TU 8-4 over the remainder of the half to put the game away.
The edge in the draws also led the Lakers to hold a big 45-28 shot advantage. Jessica Bombard made 10 saves but the TU offense could not keep up.
Morgan Sherley had 4 goals and an assist while Emily Roussel also had 4 goals. Amanda Flotteron had 2 goals and an assist, as did Katie Hill. Tori Nelson had a goal, and Gina Abulone had 2 assists.
Roussel, Bombard, Sherley, and Nelson were also All-Tournament selections for TU.