KENOSHA, Wis. — In a storybook finish that will be remembered for years to come, Parkside women's soccer delivered one of the biggest wins in program history Friday afternoon, stunning No. 2 Grand Valley State 1-0 on a goal from sophomore Ava Rizzitano with just two seconds left on the clock. The victory not only marked Parkside's win over a top-five opponent but also vaulted the Rangers into sole possession of first place in the GLIAC standings, capping one of the most dramatic endings in recent Division II soccer era memory.
The final moments felt like something out of a movie. With 30 seconds left in a scoreless, physical battle, Emily Mikkelson started the rush from midfield and found Lindsay Dahlinger streaking down the left wing. Dahlinger's cross into the box was deflected and cleared out of bounds by Vesna Dennison, setting up a Parkside throw-in with just 15 seconds remaining. Dahlinger quickly tossed it back into the box for Steph Salmeron, who tapped it to Uda Kimba, then back to Mikkelson at the top of the arc. Mikkelson ripped a low shot that clanged off the left post, ricocheted across the box, and landed at the feet of Rizzitano, who wasted no time burying the rebound into the bottom-right corner past a diving Macie Hunter as time expired.
The Parkside bench erupted, players mobbed Rizzitano in celebration, and the final whistle sounded on the biggest upset the Rangers have ever pulled off. The goal was Rizzitano's third of the season and the most memorable of her young career, while Mikkelson earned the assist on the game-winning play.
Grand Valley State (9-2-0, 6-1-0 GLIAC) controlled possession for much of the match, outshooting Parkside 15-8 and earning four corner kicks to Parkside's one. The game featured a combined 38 fouls as both sides battled relentlessly in a physical, end-to-end contest. But the difference came down to resilience, as Parkside weathered every Laker push and capitalized on its final chance of the afternoon.
Senior goalkeeper Tristen Cross was exceptional once again, recording six saves for her second consecutive shutout and extending her scoreless streak to 180 straight minutes. Cross and the back line, anchored by Emily Slye and Makayla Wesemann, stood tall under constant pressure, repeatedly turning away GVSU's attack led by forwards Kendall Aikens and Sarah Fromm.
For Parkside (6-4-2, 6-1-1 GLIAC), the win was its sixth in the last seven matches and third straight, further solidifying their place among the GLIAC's elite. It also marked Grand Valley's first conference loss of the season and just their second defeat of the year.
The Rangers now turn their attention to Senior Day on Sunday, when they'll host Ferris State at noon back at Wood Road Field in another pivotal conference matchup.
To follow the action all weekend long, visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
