MANKATO, Minn.-- The Grand Valley State women's soccer team was in top form on Sunday, beating the 18th ranked Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks on their home pitch with a 4-1 victory. Junior forward Gabriella Menccoti was a force to be reckoned with for GVSU, scoring a brace of goals and adding an assist as the Lakers improved to 3-0-1 on the season.
"We really challenged our team after last Sunday in regards to the mental approach and work ethic, and they really responded with the way they played Friday and today", GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler said. "Today was the first day where everyone stepped up and won their physical battles across the board. Mackenzie Fox in particular was great at providing us the physical presence we needed in this game."
The Lakers would open the scoring at the nearly 20 minute mark, as Mencotti took a pass from Marti Corby and flushed it for the first goal of the game.
With a 1-0 lead, the Lakers stayed aggressive, generating shots on goal from Mencotti, Corby and Jayma Martin before senior forward Kendra Stauffer netted the game's second goal after an assist from defender Shannon Quinn. The 2-0 cushion would carry the Lakers into the break, their fourth straight game with a lead heading into halftime.
"Offensively, we were sharp", said Hosler. "We were as good as we've been all year, with passing and managing tempo. We did a good job in understanding when to push forward versus when to possess the ball and wait for our shape to develop in the final third."
Coming out of the break, Mencotti would strike again, corralling the rebounded save from a 25 yard shot from Corby and putting it into the net for her second goal of the game. The 3-0 Laker lead would grow again just a few minutes later, as Mencotti played an excellent ball in to Corby and the latter scored to give the Lakers their final goal of the day.
"It's a great result against a nationally ranked team on their home field, one of the toughest places to play in the country", said Hosler. "To walk away with this result is a big step for our team early on in the long season."
The Lakers kept the Mavericks off the board for most of the game, but eventually yielded a goal in the 72nd minute of play, shortly after losing a player for the remainder of the match due to a second yellow card. However that was as close as it would get for the Mavericks, as the Lakers coasted to their second straight victory, having outscored opponents 12-1 over the weekend.
Mencotti led the Lakers with a pair of goals and an assist, while Corby finished with a goal and an assist. Jennifer Steinaway (3-0-1) earned the victory in goal, allowing one goal but making three saves.
With the victory, GVSU completes their four game non-conference slate to begin the season, and will return to the friendly confines of GVSU Soccer Field for next weekend's GLIAC matchups with Saginaw Valley State and Ohio Dominican.
