Grand Valley State University took control of the Great Lakes Conference with a 25-12 defeat of Oakland University Saturday.

This was a meeting of two 4-0 teams, both of which had dominated the rest of the competition. GVSU came in the defending conference champs, but it looked like they might lose that title when Oakland ran out to a 12-5 lead.

In a hugely physical encounter, GVSU started their claw their way back, and with 20 minutes to go, took the lead.

“It was very physical but both teams played with a great deal of restraint and respect for the game,” said GVSU Head Coach John Mullett. “Just two teams trying to get it right. The was mutual respect.”

And they struggled to do so as the game was very stop-start. Mullett said Oakland was possibly the stronger of the two, but it was close.

“They were more disciplined early and we seemed a little fresher later,” said Mullett.

But GVSU was hit by some indiscipline late in the game too, and spent half of the second period down a man. However, they held on to win the conference.

After the game, the two teams stayed together thanking the spectators and congratulating each other. They also posed for a photo as a group (see above).