Go Lakers!

Forward Katy Tafler scored 36 goals and added 12 assists this season for a total of 84 points – stats that see her ranked first in Div. II in points and goals per game. Plus, goalkeeper Kirstina Nasturzio was named to the All-American First Team. Although those two players stood out, the Lakers achieved their second successive berth at the Final Four by working as a unit and no-one understands that more acutely than their proud Coach Dave DiIanni. We spoke to the coach of the No.1 ranked team before they headed to Orange Beach, Alabama for NCAA tournament play…..

Are you happy with the bracket your team has been drawn in?

Yes we are very excited with the NCAA tournament draw and even more the opportunity to host the first 2 rounds. I was just telling our girls the other day that in the five consecutive years we have qualified for NCAA tournament it never gets old. We would love to replicate last season and make it back to the National Championship game but for now we will focus on the journey and hopefully it will take us there at the end of the tournament.

What were your expectations at the start of the season and do you feel, at this stage, that you have matched them?

This team returns 16 players from the National Championship Runner up team and so when setting their goals this year they stressed the fact that it is the day to day journey that meant the most to them last year and so the motto was: "What have you done for me lately?" They stressed each day is a new day and that required the same energy, commitment and competitiveness that they gave the day before. We have three goals every year: Win the conference, win the regional and win a National Championship.

What has been the team's best performance this season and why did you select this particular game?

We started out our regular season in Denver Colorado playing two games in 3 days. When we played Regis University the second of the two games it was 90 degrees and a midday kick-off. The combination of the heat and altitude started to severely wear on our players. It was a game where our players could have given up and conceded to the elements but instead they fought together and pushed through for a 1-0 win against a good team. I was very proud of them that day.

What have you and your players learned from this season?

Try to be as consistent as you can. The season can

be so long that there will always be peaks and valleys but if you can try and reduce those by being consistent you have a greater chance at being successful.

Who is the jock in the team and who is the joker?

Jock- Our goalkeeper Kristina "Nasty" Nasturzio- because she is such a great athlete and likes to compete in almost everything she does.
Joker- Emily Berner- she is the high spirited, fun loving, positive person on our team who loves to ease tension with a well told joke or begins to sing a song in an off tune.

What advice do/would you give to a soccer player just starting their freshman year?

That there will be highs and lows involved in college athletics. You will ultimately face adversity however if you have a great love for the game it will become easier for you to attack those tough times and they will lessen each day.

I love Grand Valley State University because of the people. When you work here you know that there is support for your self, your team, and your players from not only our President Tom Haas but my Athletic Director Tim Selgo and all the other great coaches that work at GVSU. I also love the friendly competition you get from the other great programs in our school to be successful in the classroom and on the field. We do compete with one another on one hand but we support one another with the other.

I love coaching because it is a form of teaching young adults to become a better student, player and person by the time they graduate.

{photo credit: DOUG WITTE/GVSU}