Sunday vs. Central Missouri (1:00 PM):  Game Notes  l  Live Stats  l  Video Link

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Two of the nation's top programs in Division II women's soccer will duke it out on Sunday in the NCAA Quarterfinals for the third straight season, as second ranked Grand Valley State University hosts third ranked University of Central Missouri at GVSU Soccer Field. The Lakers (21-1-1) and the Jennies (21-1-0) played in both the 2014 and 2015 NCAA Quarterfinals at Wisconsin-Parkside and at Central Missouri, respectively.
 
The Lakers advanced to Sunday's matchup by way of a 2-0 victory over #22 Truman State on Friday, capturing their eighth straight Midwest Region Championship thanks to a brace of goals by star midfielder Marti Corby. The Jennies defeated #24 Fort Hays State in a close matchup, winning 1-0 on a goal in the 51^st minute amidst turbulent winds and rapidly dropping temperatures on Friday evening.
 
As well as having similarly dominant statistical marks this season, the Lakers and the Jennies are similar in appearance and playing style, utilizing their personnel and lines of play effectively throughout the pitch on offense and defense.
 
"UCM plays a very similar style to ours, being good in possession and linking the lines, which allows forwards to get isolated into space", said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler. "Defensively, they have a very sound starting defense with a terrific goalkeeper and superb organization at each level."
 
Ball control and possession will be major battlegrounds on Sunday, as neither team will settle for less than their best effort in those areas.
 
"I think the team that has the lion's share of possession will have an easier time finding their way on Sunday", said Hosler.
 
The Jennies boast a pair of standout goal scorers in Jada Scott and Hannah Pyle , with 16 and 11 goals apiece. The Lakers saw plenty of both in last season's NCAA Quarterfinal, as both started the game and Scott scored the game's first goal to put the Jennies up in the first half of the game. It was the first time since the 2015 opener against Quincy that the Lakers had trailed in a game, and threatened to close the door on their season. Instead, a second half equalizer from Jayma Martin gave the Lakers new life, and a penalty kick shootout victory punched the Laker's ticket to the 2015 NCAA Division II National Championship.
 
If scoring on the Jennies posed it's challenges last season, then the same and more could be said in this campaign, as junior goalkeeper Ana Dilkes has been the most stalwart net-minder in all of Division II and has yielded just four goals in 22 contests this season. Her save percentage of .987 and goals-against average of 0.15 are the top marks in the country at the Division II level, even beating those of Laker goalkeeper Jennifer Steinaway, who boasts nearly equitable numbers.
 
To try and break down the Jennies on defense, the Lakers will bring to bear the offensive potency of the top scoring offense in the nation this season, as well as the nation's leader in goals among all three levels Gabriella Mencotti, who has 28 goals this season. In addition to sporting three double-digit goal scorers this season, the Lakers also have two-time NSCAA Player of the Year Marti Corby, who has amassed 41 points this season on nine goals and a Division II best 23 assists, as the Lakers lead all schools in those categories. Corby provided the Lakers with a huge lift on Friday, scoring the game-winning goal on a 22 yard first half strike, and adding a superb finish on a free kick in the second frame. Oftentimes, the Lakers go as their stars go, and thus Corby's effort in a pivotal postseason match can make all the difference, however the journey to victory does not fall on the shoulders of one player alone.
 
Despite compiling 21 wins and stockpiling goals and assists amidst close matches, one narrow defeat and many lopsided victories, the Lakers have yet to achieve the total and complete effort desired by head coach Jeff Hosler. An elusive task to achieve, one must say that the Lakers would not be playing their best soccer unless all players and lines were in brilliant cohesion throughout the run of play. Hosler hopes to achieve that effort against the Jennies on Sunday, as the matchup will be one fought tooth and nail like it was a year ago.
 
"We are still looking for a complete, 90 minute effort and Sunday is as good a time as any for that", Hosler said.  "Fan turnout was great on Friday despite the rain and we need Laker Nation to Anchor Up for the last home match of the year. With a trip to the Final Four on the line against the #3 team in the country, you have to love that matchup as a fan."
 
Last season, the Lakers and the Jennies took the best each had to offer for each other, and in the end it was the Lakers who would advance on to the semifinals and an eventual fifth NCAA Division II title. With the chance to clinch a semifinal birth on the line, and the privilege to play for that berth at their home field, the Lakers will determine their postseason fate with how prepared they come to Sunday's match, and how efficiently they can manage their game plan.