Last season in Houghton, Michigan, the Huskies of Michigan Tech fought tooth and claw to pull out a 0-0 draw with the Lakers, a blemish on an otherwise stellar conference season.
 
When the Lakers hosted the Huskies on Friday night at GVSU Soccer Field, they made sure to return the favor, routing the Huskies 7-0 to remain perfect at home and in GLIAC play.
 
"Last year, our game up to Tech, we just didn't capitalize on our opportunities, we weren't strong in our decision making, and their goalie was also fantastic in that game," said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler. "Today just showed what we are capable when we are knocking the ball around, making good decisions and finishing."
 
Grand Valley came out firing early, a recurring theme for the Lakers this season. The first Laker goal came just 5 minutes into the match, as senior Katie Klunder took a cross from junior Clare Carlson and powered the ball into the net for her sixth goal of the season.
 
"Soccer is played where the first goal of the game wins 70% of the time," Hosler said. "Quick starts are very important, if we find the net early and often, these teams that come out with a defensive gameplan against us really have to change up their game plans early. It makes all the difference in the world."
 
Adding to the mix five minutes later, sophomore Gabriella Mencotti took a feed from Klunder 18 yards out and rifled a shot at Tech goalkeeper Kirsen Hudak. Hudak got two hands on the shot, but it continued into the goal to give the Lakers another score, and Mencotti her fifth goal of the season.
 
Keeping up the pressure, the Lakers struck again in the 12^th minute, as Kendra Stauffer penetrated in from the right side of the net and flicked a smooth pass over to a waiting Marti Corby. Her shot low and to the right beat Hudak and gave Corby her 17^th goal of the season.
 
After scoring three goals in the opening twelve minutes of the half, the Lakers got complacent. Taking advantage of minimal pressure, the Huskies engineered several decent scoring chances. A free kick at 29 minutes led to a good look off a header, but freshman keeper Emily Maresh made a great save to collect the ball and end the threat.
 
Grand Valley struck again in the 30^th minute, as a Marti Corby corner kick found Gabbie Guibord for a great header towards the goal. Junior forward Jayma Martin gave the ball a final touch into the net, and the Lakers took a 4-0 lead into halftime.
 
In the 51^st minute, Stauffer made another great penetrating attack, dribbling past a defender, and drawing the attention of the goalie before dishing off nicely to Mencotti from five yards out. Mencotti's second flush of the day pushed the Laker lead to five.
 
Four minutes later, in the 55^th minute, usual suspect Kendra Stauffer netted a goal of her own, taking a great cross from Jayma Martin and putting away her seventh goal this season to make it 6-0.
 
Senior defender Tracey McCoy put the finishing touches on the Laker victory in the 75^th minute with a booming free kick from 22 yards out that sailed over the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper and underneath the cross bar for a goal. It gave McCoy her first goal of the season, and seventh for the Lakers.
 
Defensively, the Lakers kept the Huskie's two talented attackers, Lexi Herrewig and Jaci Mielke, in check. Herrewig and Mielke each got a good look at the Laker goal, but Maresh made a 1 on 1 save on Herrwig's attempt in the 85^th minute, and Mielke's shot in the 73^rd went wide. Maresh earned the shutout in goal by making seven saves.
 
"Defensively, keeping teams off the board is really important to us," Hosler said. "We've been trying to get the girls to take it personal when teams find ways to score on us. There were a couple bad giveaways late in the game, and some of it was just freshman inexperience, but they're still learning the game and that ability to make better choices.
 
"Keeping a shutout is very good, and when they did have some opportunities, Emily held everything," added Hosler.  "She didn't give up any rebounds, which is good. Tech's two frontrunners (Herrewig and Mielke) are two of the more dynamic forwards that we've played in the GLIAC, and to keep them in check,I thought we did a good job.

Stauffer finished the game with one goal and two assists. Gabriella Mencotti netted two goals, Katie Klunder, Jayma Martin and Marti Corby each added an assist and a goal, and Clare Carlson and Gabbie Guibord each chipped in an assist.  

The Lakers return to action on Sunday when they host the Northern Michigan Wildcats at 12 p.m for Senior Day. The 2015 Laker senior class will be recognized at the game for their accomplishments for GVSU Soccer.