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ALLENDALE, Mich.—The Grand Valley State women's soccer team has overcome every challenge it has faced as of late in grandiose fashion. Head coach Jeff Hosler and his impressive side are riding an impressive eight game winning streak, during which they've outscored their opponents by a 37-1 tally.  Now two weeks into the conference schedule, the team will switch things up to face their final regular season non-conference opponent, Florida Tech, at home  on Wednesday night.
 
The mid-week matchup was shaping up to be a battle of two ranked goliaths just a fortnight ago, yet a three game slide by the Panthers lost them their ranking, but not the respect afforded to capable and dangerous teams.
 
"We schedule this match because of the pedigree of that program and of that conference", Hosler said. "Every game on their schedule is very close, very competitive, and they are a seasoned group. It gives us an opportunity to shift our focus a little bit, be presented with different challenges in terms of style of play and athleticism. Its indicative of how we put together our 2016 schedule, to give us different looks with different teams. We're very fortunate to play a lot of high caliber teams with a national demographic this year.
 
Hosler's assessment of his team's schedule is fair. All told, the Lakers traveled over 5200 miles to earlier non-conference slates in California and Minnesota, and facing their final regular season non-conference foe at home is a welcome reprieve from life on the road. Florida Tech is a capable opponent, battle-hardened by life in the competitive Sunshine State Conference, home to Laker foes from recent seasons such as Barry, Tampa and Rollins, the last of which the Lakers defeated to win the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship. After righting the ship from their recent three game slide, the Panthers come into Wednesday night's matchup with a 6-3 record.
 
While not an offensive powerhouse, having scored just 15 goals in nine games, the Panthers promise to provide the top-ranked Lakers with an unfamiliar opponent and test the defense with new formations.
 
"I expect them to play in a formation we haven't seen a whole lot thus far", Hosler said. "Whichever team possesses better is going to create significant advantages in the wing. They're a possession oriented team, they play through the lines well. They'll be a very complete team that's coming in, and they'll certainly challenge us. I think both teams would say the key is who can keep the ball better to establish their attacking shape and dangerous moments coming from the wide areas."
 
Posing an extra set of problems as a midweek game, the Wednesday contest will be the first of three matches taking place over five days of the Lakers, with two road matches at Walsh and Lake Erie following this weekend. Additionally, Wednesday's game itself comes on short rest, as GVSU played against Ashland  just two days ago, on Sunday.
 
"A mid-week game requires special preparation, and that's the first one this season for us, so it's going to present some challenges in doing so", Hosler said. "Sunday was good because our bench gave us a huge lift in terms of their sense of urgency and just overall productivity, and that's going to be key for us this week in our three matches. Our starters are going to have to get us off to quick starts, and then hopefully our bench can help to maintain and create additional separation to get everybody more equal minutes and keep fresh legs moving forward to the next match."
 
It's no secret that the Lakers have been hitting on all cylinders as of late. Goals are coming in bunches on offense, haven't been allowed in six  straight games on defense, and team morale is high at the halfway point of the regular season. A trio of forwards, seniors Jayma Martin and Kendra Stauffer and junior Gabriella Mencotti, are all producing at a high level, and creating and finishing dangerous chances at goal. The trio has scored 27 of the Laker's 40 goals this season, and have 15 assists as well.
 
"I think we're doing a lot of good things on both sides of the ball", Hosler said. "We continue to produce shutouts, and we're doing well in eliminating dangerous scoring opportunities altogether. Offensively, I think we saw the ball hit the back of the net a lot, so that does well to give some of our players more confidence moving forward."
 
In helping her team notch a season high 10 goals against Tiffin at Lubber Stadium last Friday, senior midfielder Marti Corby cemented her name in the GVSU program record books by delivering her 46^th career assist, which passes Erin Mruz (2007-11) for the most all time in a Laker player career. Corby's gift for finding her teammates in position to finish goal-scoring opportunities is on top display this season, as she has already recorded 12 assists in the first 10 games, and is on pace to beat last season's impressive tally of 17 helpers.
 
"Marti is as sound technically as it comes", Hosler said. "She's able to set things up with her first touch that most kids can't do, period, because they're not able to get the ball into position before the moment is lost. She's very technical, has great vision, and has the ability to deliver balls in a variety of ways as the situation calls for. Her variety in her distribution is what sets her apart the most, but it all stems because of her technical skills and the feel and vision she has for the game."
 
The matchup versus Florida Tech offers a unique opportunity for the Lakers, both in the form of a capable roster and a diverse playing style. For the Lakers to defend their home field and continue the season undefeated, they will need to play the way they have played during their eight game winning streak, and continue to stay aggressive and opportunistic.