Photo Gallery

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport lacrosse and Grand Valley State University played an exhibition Thursday night to benefit the Seiler family whose house was destroyed in an early morning fire Thanksgiving weekend. Grand Valley State won the game 16-14 but the Seiler family was the real winners.
 
Jake Seiler, the oldest of four children, is a senior defenseman for Grand Valley State. Jake's younger brother Joe Seiler, a senior at Holland High School, has played for another company that Davenport Head Coach Chris Gervat's works for, True Lacrosse.
 
“We are rivals when we are on the field but off the field a lot of us went to the same high schools. We're all friends and we know each other really well and playing for a cause like this, it doesn't get any better. Having people come out and support the community and really lift the spirits of a family in need,” said senior Jordan Richtsmeier.
 
Roughly 750 spectators showed up to support the Seiler family and watch a great lacrosse game between the Panthers and the Lakers. The spectators were charged $5 to gain admittance into the Kelly Turf Building. Those in attendance also had a chance to buy raffle tickets with all the proceeds going to the Seiler family.
 
“We played hard against our arch-rival but I know Jake really well and it's great to be able to play in this game and help support their family as they go through this tough time,” added senior Lyle Parks.
 
The Seiler family lost their house and three cars in an early morning fire on Nov. 26^th in Holland, Mich. The proceeds of the event are to help the family with rent and expenses while they recover from the tragic incident.
 
“The Seiler family are great people and we want to support them anyway possible. So tonight with this bad thing that happened came an opportunity for us and the community to come together and support them,“ said Gervat.
 
The game featured two of the best MCLA teams in the Midwest and the teams didn't disappoint. Davenport and GVSU went back and forth in the first half and were knotted 9-9 at the half. Grand Valley broke the game open in the third quarter behind a solid defensive effort that held the Panthers scoreless until late in the quarter.
 
Trailing 15-10 in the fourth quarter, Davenport went on a four goal run to cut the Lakers lead to one with a few minutes to play. Grand Valley then scored with about two minutes left to take a 16-14 lead. Davenport lost the ensuing draw and wasn't able to regain possession until there was less than a minute to play.
 
Even though it was an exhibition game, Davenport will be able to learn from this game and build on it this winter as they prepare for their first season at the MCLA DI level.
 
“I thought we moved the ball very well when we were on offense, the trick is you have to actually get the ball on offense and when you're man-down that much that can't happen. I thought our guys really moved the ball to the best of their abilities tonight. That's the best I've seen them move the ball yet. Overall, I thought our kids played hard just a little lack of focus and discipline at times. The effort was great and now we just have to channel that effort,” said Gervat.
 
“We had a lot of pluses tonight. A few of the young guys stepped up and really played well. We are still missing a couple guys and to play them that close missing a couple starters was really big for us,” added Richtsmeier.