The 7^th ranked Grand Valley State women's soccer team will take on two conference opponents this weekend in a split away-home set.
 
On Friday, the Lakers will travel to University Center, Michigan for a rematch with the Cardinals of Saginaw Valley State. The two teams played on September 22^nd, a 6-1 victory for GVSU, thanks in part to scoring three goals in the first ten minutes of play.
 
Saginaw Valley has been losers of three straight matches, but GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler knows that Friday's game means something special to the Cardinals.
 
"I think we'll see a very different SVSU team, one ,because they'll be playing on their home field, and two, because this time the game will be a conference match," Hosler said. "While they haven't had the results they would've liked over the weekend, they had two difficult places to play at, they battled them well in that environment, and I expect them to be a much better side this Friday."
 
While the score line from the first game between these two teams indicates a blow out, it does not provide the full story of that game, or the rematch this Friday.
 
"I think they are a very good team defensively, they are very organized defensively." Hosler said. "Part of the reason the first game went so well for us is because we were really sharp in our execution early, and being up 3-0 in the first 10 minutes is going to make any game much easier for you."
 
The execution for the Lakers was very good in the first game between the two schools. Grand Valley scored six goals off of twelve shots on goal, an extremely efficient percentage. Offensive efficiency has been a calling card for the Lakers this season, as the team has won eight straight games, outscoring opponents 44-3 over that span.
 
Lakers host Kick Cancer game
 
On Sunday, October 4^th, the Lakers will host the Timberwolves of Northwood University at GVSU Soccer Field in the Kick Cancer game, a game meant to pay respect for those fighting cancer as well as providing perspective to those who are experiencing the reach of the disease in their lives.
 
"Cancer is something that has affected most of our players lives, in one way or another, and this is an opportunity to reflect as a team and individuals on how fortunate we are to be of sound body and mind, playing in honor of some people who have battled this terrible disease," Hosler said. "It provides us a way to reach out and give back to the community, both with our time and financially."
 
Grand Valley will be partnered with the Angel Wings Foundation of Michigan, which supports the children who have lost one or both parents to a battle with cancer. Auction items and services, as well as shirt and button proceeds will all be donated to the fund.

Grand Valley leads the all time series with the Timberwolves 23-1-1, including a 3-1 win last season, but the Timberwolves are not an opponent Hosler is overlooking.
 
"Northwood is very inconsistent right now, but when they come to play, they play hard. We had a tough time breaking them down last year, they play hard, they're organized and they always play confidently in their game plan."
 
Friday's rematch kicks off at 1 p.m on Friday at Robert C Braddock Field. The Kick Cancer game at GVSU Soccer Field will begin at 1 p.m on Sunday.