ALLENDALE, Mich.-- On a night when the Lakers fell short of breaking the NCAA Division II single-game attendance record, the team still set new GVSU program and GLIAC women's soccer attendance records while notching their seventh straight victory on Friday night. A record crowd of 2,893 saw the Lakers put on a dazzling offensive display, torching the Dragons for seven second half goals on the way to a 10-0 victory at Lubbers Stadium.
 
The 2,893 fans in attendance more than triples GVSU's previous single game high of 857, set in a 2008 game against then-No.1 Tampa University at GVSU Soccer Field. That total also easily surpasses the highest single-game attendance mark in Division II this season (927), set in a September 29^th matchup between Point Loma and Concordia (CA).
 
"I thought it was a tremendous atmosphere tonight", said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler."We really appreciate the support we got from the students and the turnout from the community. On a rainy Friday night, to have people come out and support our program and our kids is pretty special, so we really appreciate that."
 
Junior forward Gabriella Mencotti scored a career high four goals for GVSU, which set a new season high for goals in a game. She also added an assist for a total of nine points on the evening.
 
After settling in to the turf and rainy conditions at Lubbers Stadium, Grand Valley State notched its first tally of the evening in the 14^th minute, when senior Clare Carlson drove to the baseline to the right of goal before firing a pass across the mouth of the goal to Mencotti, whose quick pass to forward Jayma Martin gave the latter an easy flush for her eighth goal of the season and the first of the night for GVSU.
 
"We had to really make sure that our wingers and outside backs utilized that width", Hosler said. "I thought we did a really good job not allowing Tiffin to be compact, it helped that Jayma and Kendra were brilliant on the wings in the first half, stretching them out there and creating scoring opportunities for us. When they're doing that, it frees up more space for Gabby Mencotti to come in, and she obviously had a great night.
 
In the 30^th minute, the Lakers would find their second goal after a series of shots on goal were saved by Dragons goalkeeper Samantha Ortenzi. A foul near midfield gave the Lakers a free kick, which center back Erika Bradfield struck with authority into the goal box. Midfielder Marti Corby headed the ball to Kendra Stauffer, who slipped it past Ortenzi for her fifth strike of the season and a 2-0 lead.
 
Just five minutes later, Mencotti doubled up on a loose ball near the Tiffin goal. Kept alive in the box by Corby, the ball found its way to Mencotti just feet from goal after a failed clear by the Dragons. Mencotti scored easily on the play for her second goal of the game, but she was far from finished. That assist was a big one for Corby, who set a new career record for assists by notching her 46th career helper, passing Erin Mruz's mark of 45 career assists (2007-11).
 
After taking a 3-0 lead into the halftime break, the Lakers broke the game open in the second act, as Mencotti netted herself a hat trick with a few ticks left in the 48^th minute of play. A brilliant through ball by Corby set up the dynamic striker for the flush and a 4-0 lead.
 
In the 50^th minute, the Lakers got another tally on the scoreboard, this time courtesy of an own goal by a Tiffin defender.
 
Seven minutes later, the Lakers struck again, as familiar suspect Mencotti raced past the defense to a spectacular through ball played in by Stauffer. Outpacing the trialing defenders, Mencotti got the angle on Ortenzi and slotted the ball past the keeper on a slow roller for her third goal of the night.
 
In the 70^th minute, forward Sara Stevens got in on the scoring action, taking a pass on the Dragon's half of the field, taking two dribbles and firing a shot at goal from the 23 yard line. The powerful high shot sailed past the leaping Ortenzi to the far side of net for the junior's third goal of the season.
 
In the 73^rd minute, Mencotti  capped off her career night with a fourth goal. Mencotti's previous single game high for goals was three, achieved during her freshman season against Ferris State on October 15^th, 2014.
 
Less than a minute later, Corby joined the scoring party, redirecting a rebound off an Ortenzi save into the net for her third goal of the season.
 
Rounding out the scoring for the Lakers in the 74^th minute was sophomore Lindsay Ebeling, who was set up to the left side of the goal by a great pass from Carlson. Ebeling's shot got past reserve goalkeeper Jennifer Sandburg for the tenth Laker goal of the night.
 
Corby and Carlson each chipped in two assists for the Lakers, with the former also adding a goal. Stauffer finished with a goal and an assist, while Bradfield, Tracy McCoy and Marisa Pyden each had an assist, and Ebeling, Stevens and Martin each had a solo goal. Laker seniors contributed three assists and four goals in the game, as the group made play after play in the rain-soaked affair.
 
"Tonight was our seniors stepping up where we haven't been able to thus far", said Hosler. "All of them played very well, they played with great urgency and confidence.
 
Grand Valley State set a season high in shots (45) and shots on goal (27) on the night.  Ortenzi had a busy night in goal, allowing nine strikes but making saves on 17 Laker shots, including several of note. The Dragons managed five shots on the Laker goal, prompting saves from Jennifer Steinaway on each one to earn her sixth clean sheet of the season.
 
Moving forward with tremendous momentum, the Lakers now face the toughest part of their regular season schedule, hosting Ashland University on Sunday at GVSU Soccer Field in a matchup with strong GLIAC championship implications. The Eagles are on the cusp of the NSCAA Division II rankings, but have been ranked as high as #21 this season.
 
"The team is all excited about Sunday, and Ashland is clearly a quality team", Hosler said. "They will  really push us, it's a difficult matchup, so we have to play comparable to tonight to have a chance to come away with a win."