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Ever since the NCAA Tournament field included more than 16 teams—which happened for the first time in 2001—no women's soccer program has made six consecutive trips to the Final Four. With a win over unbeaten No. 10 Central Missouri in Sunday's (Nov. 23) NCAA Quarterfinal, Grand Valley State would become the first to accomplish the remarkable feat.
 
Following an emotional, dramatic 1-0 victory over No. 3 Wisconsin-Parkside, which carried an unbeaten 18-0-3 record into Friday's (Nov. 21) Midwest Regional Championship, the No. 11 Lakers have to regroup quickly. They will also have to prepare for a completely unfamiliar opponent.
 
GVSU has never faced an active member of the MIAA, let alone the 21-0-2 Jennies, who are coming off a 3-2 victory over previously undefeated No. 1 Minnesota State in the Central Regional Championship.
 
Such a situation presents unique challenges. It does have some advantages, though. Most apparent, head coach Jeff Hosler has seen his team perk up in preparation to face a club it has yet to see the likes of.
 
"It's a little bit different, especially on a short turnaround," says Hosler. "Collectively, as a team, there's that excitement level to play someone we are unfamiliar with. You can get bogged down with the conference schedule and the first two regional games with teams that you see so frequently. And playing at this stage of the year is exciting."
 
As for what the Lakers will see tactically from UCM—a 3-5-2 scheme—they have some experience working against its system. Earlier this year, GVSU was forced into the 3-5-2 for an extended period of time. While this could be an advantage for the Lakers, the Jennies' personnel is a bit different.
 
"They're another athletic team, very big on their back line," says Hosler. "All their center mids are very technical, very crafty, creative players. They all have good engines, play really hard to cover a lot of space and they're very mobile.
 
"They're a complete team. When you get to this stage in the tournament, every team you play is going to be very good."
 
Another plus when it comes to facing a previously unseen foe: a chance to focus inward.
 
Although GVSU will go through its typical scouting routine, breaking down its own play and areas for improvement will be the day's top priority. One of the things atop the list of things Hosler would like to address: starting faster.
 
"Very clearly, we have to start quicker than we did yesterday. That is something the girls have done a much better job with over the last three weeks, so we are hoping Friday was just a fluke start for us," says Hosler. "Just establishing our style of play sooner in the match is clearly going to be important."
 
Experience is one area the Lakers seemingly have a significant advantage. While this is GVSU's ninth NCAA Quarterfinals appearance in the last 10 seasons—it is 5-1-2 in its previous eight trips—Central Missouri is making its Elite Eight debut.
 
But everything on paper will be tossed out the window once play kicks off Sunday.
 
"We have our work cut our for us. Central Missouri is unbeaten for a reason," says Hosler. "(We have) to turn the page from the emotional win yesterday, the excitement of it, and not get ahead of ourselves, realizing we have to take care of business today, and learn and focus on what our responsibilities are in order to prepare for tomorrow."
 
Play at Wood Road Field in Somers, Wisconsin will begin at 1 p.m. EST.