Despite trailing for the first time since Nov. 29, 2012, the Grand Valley State women's soccer team never lost its composure. The No. 1 Lakers were behind for a grand total of nine minutes and six seconds, before they answered with two goals in a five-minute span to down Southwest Minnesota State 3-1 in Mankato, Minnesota.

Even though the Mustangs managed to stun everyone in attendance with a go-ahead goal from Miranda Cadena in the 9^th minute, GVSU never panicked.

Instead, the Lakers showed great resolve and backbone to erase the deficit in a matter of minutes. The reigning GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, senior forward Jenny Shaba, willed GVSU's offense to life with three points — one goal and one assist, both of which were her first of the season.

"First there was a moment of, 'Are you serious? That just happened?' But the girls responded quickly," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "I never got a sense of panic from the group. The players on the field all looked at each other and said, 'Let's do this.' We took the game to them from then on."

Shaba scored the equalizing tally off a short-sided shot from just outside the goalkeeper's box in the 19^th minute. The West Bloomfield, Michigan native followed it up with a helper on freshman forward Gabriella Mencotti's game-winning goal, a blistering shot from the left side of the box in the 23^rd minute.

"Shaba really led the charge today. It was clearly her best match of the season, and she was really active going at the goal today," Hosler said. "Her goal was first-class. It was a pretty special goal."

GVSU continued to unload a barrage of shots on SMSU goalkeeper Brienna Dehkes, but it was not until the 82^nd minute that the Lakers' high-powered offense struck again. Junior forward Katie Bounds finished off freshman midfielder Dani Johnson's rebounded shot for her first goal of the year.

When all was said and done, the Lakers accrued 22 shots, 11 of which were on target. Dehkes made eight saves for the Mustangs in the losing effort.

As for the defense, which surrendered a goal for the first time this season, outside of the lone lapse early in the match, the unit could not have played any better. All four of SMSU's shots came in the first half; no Mustang had an attempt after the 34^th minute. One small adjustment made all the difference for the closing 56 minutes.

"Our awareness got better. We were too consumed with what was going on with the ball defensively (early in the match)," said Hosler. "Our pressure also looked better in the right moments."

The victory extends GVSU's winning streak to 27 matches, surpassing Nebraska Omaha and tying Southern New Hampshire for the fourth-longest run in Division II history, and brings its overall record to 3-0-0, while SMSU falls to 1-2-0. It is the ninth time in program history the Lakers have opened a campaign with three consecutive victories.

GVSU will remain in Mankato and turns its eyes to No. 7 Minnesota State, which improved to 3-0-0 with a 3-0 win over Concordia-Saint Paul Thursday (Sep. 11) night. The Lakers and Mavericks are set to square off Sunday (Sep. 14) at 1 p.m.

"Our girls were excited for both matches, but they're also aware of how big of a match Sunday is," said Hosler. "They are eager for the challenge."

Notes:
-Friday (Sep. 12) was the first time since the 2012 NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal match against Rockhurst, which GVSU won 3-1, the Lakers recorded a comeback victory
-GVSU improved to 2-0-0 against first-time opponents this season with its win over the Mustangs
-The Lakers are now 7-1-0 all-time, and have six consecutive victories, in neutral site matches played during the month of September
-Gabriella Mencotti's goal this afternoon was the first game-winning tally of her collegiate career
-For the fifth time in the last two seasons, Jenny Shaba finished a match with at least one goal and one assist