Friday vs. Northern Michigan 4:00 P.M:  Live Stats l Video l  Game Notes

Sunday vs. Michigan Tech 12:00 P.M:   Live Stats  l  Video 

ALLENDALE, Mich. – Just days after claiming the top spot in the NSCAA Division II women's soccer rankings, the Grand Valley State women's soccer team will hit the road to test the new title. GVSU will face Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech on Friday and Sunday, respectively, the first GLIAC games of the season for the three-time defending national champions.
 
After being named to the top of the NSCAA Preseason Rankings, the Lakers were listed behind Columbus State in the Week 1 and Week 2 polls. Thanks to a four-game win streak and a Cougars loss, the Lakers are back atop the nation for the first time in the regular season poll.  During that streak, the Lakers have outscored opponents 18-0 and have looked much better offensively as they shake off the rust from the beginning of the season.
 
"We have certainly done a better job converting early goal scoring chances", said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler.  "However, we haven't been nearly as effective in the 2nd half as we only have four goals to show for our efforts, while conceding two. Overall, our possession still needs better tempo and effectiveness, particularly in our ability to build from the back, and we need to capitalize more on attacking set pieces. " 
 
Being the top ranked team comes with added expectations, added threats and the desire of every team in the nation to beat the best. It's an all too familiar feeling for GVSU, which has spent much of the past few seasons as number one. This weekend's matchups will be no different, as either of the Lakers opponents are capable programs that will be looking to pounce on the defending champions after a long bus trip north.
 
Getting the first crack at the Lakers newly minted ranking are the Northern Michigan Wildcats (1-5), who have struggled to consistently score goals and rank near the bottom of the conference standings as a result. After tuning up Division III  school Finlandia to start the season by an 11-0 margin, the Wildcats have scored just four goals in the five games since, and have lost each match.
 
"Northern went through something similar last year before rattling off five straight wins against the GLIAC", said Hosler. "With an unexpected head coaching change, I think we will see an opponent with renewed optimism and focus.  They have a talented roster, including the 2014 GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year and a capable back line, but just haven't been able to put it all together for positive results yet.  The GLIAC opener is a fresh start for everyone and we expect to see their best."
 
The Wildcats named David Poggi, the head men's soccer coach at the school,  the interim head coach on Tuesday, and will host the Lakers fresh off that transition. Buoyed by the contest against Finlandia, Northern is tied for fourth in the GLIAC in goals and has two players with three goals on the season. 2014 GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year Paula Hafner has not yet found the back of the net, but is a proven goal scorer for the Wildcats, with 26 career goals.
 
Last season's matchup of the two teams was indicative of the all-time series between the teams (GVSU leads 23-2-1), as the Lakers scored three first half goals on the way to a 7-0 victory on Senior Day. Forward Kendra Stauffer torched the Wildcats for four goals and an assist in that game as the Lakers outshot NMU by a 30-4 margin.
 
After facing the Wildcats on Friday, the Lakers head to Houghton for a showdown with the 4-1 Michigan Tech Huskies. Despite only having scored six goals in five games, the Huskies have excelled in close games and netted a 2-1 win over Bemidji State, a team just outside the NSCAA Top 25 rankings.  GVSU also got the best of the Huskies last season, scoring four first half goals on the way to a 7-0 victory at GVSU Soccer Field.
 
"Tech can be a very difficult place to play and they have looked very good this year", Hosler said.  "This is an athletic team that likes to press and capitalize off those turnovers.  They are a team that can explode for goals in bunches once they find the back of the net.  So defensively, we have to transition well and locate runners to mark closely.  We have to be very sound in our decisions and possession, attack from all areas of the field and be more opportunistic in front of goal."
 
While the Lakers have done a great job finding the net early in games this season after struggling with that aspect of the game last year, they would do well to find more balance in their scoring, as first half goals have made up 17 of the Laker strikes this year, and only four have come in the latter half. Getting an early lead is a key to winning more games, but the ability to stay committed to the attack, even late in the game, is an area that still needs to be developed in this Laker team.