ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No. 4 Grand Valley State Lakers wade into the unknown as they wrap up their home regular season schedule this weekend with a pair of GLIAC contests at the GVSU Soccer Field. The Lakers host GLIAC newcomers Purdue-Northwest on Friday night at 7:00 PM and then celebrate Senior Day on Sunday before a 1:00 PM contest with the Davenport Panthers.
 
The Lakers (11-2-0, 5-0-0 GLIAC) have won 11 straight matches, ten of which have been shutouts. Grand Valley State had a streak of 950 scoreless minutes snapped when the Florida Tech Panthers found the back of the net twice in a Lakers 8-2 win in a non-conference matchup earlier this week.
 
To put the ten-game shutout streak in context, this is just the fourth time in program history the Lakers have shut out opponents in at least ten consecutive contests and is tied for the second-longest streak in the history of this storied program. While the defense has been impressive, over the last week it has been the offense that's taken center stage.
 
The Lakers have scored 20 goals over the last three matches, outscoring their opponents by a combined 20-2 mark. The eruption in offensive production is headlined by senior forward Gabriella Mencotti, who's scored 11 of the 20 goals and netted a hat trick in each of the three contests. Mencotti now has 20 goals on the season to lead Division II after leading all of NCAA in scoring a year ago.
 
"We've done a very good job establishing tempo, generating scoring chances and capitalizing over this three-match stretch," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "It's the time of year where it needs to become consistent and we have an opportunity to move further in that direction this weekend."
 
While the senior leader has been instrumental in the Lakers' efficiency, some newcomers have also rounded into form and are providing key production now and showing great promise for the Lakers dynasty to carry well into the future. Ava Cook went without a point in each of her first three career matches, but since has tallied at least one point in four straight matches and eight of the ten since, including multiple points in seven of those matches.
 
The Lakers may be coming into form at the right time, but they are about to face a pair of opponents they've never seen before, which adds a new component to the already emotional weekend. Both Purdue-Northwest and Davenport jumped to the Division II level this season, meaning the Lakers have never faced their upcoming competition.
 
"Both opponents pose unique challenges in being our first time ever meeting. There is a lot of unknown, so we'll have to be really sharp in asserting our style of play," said Hosler.
 
The Purdue-Northwest Pride (0-10, 0-6 GLIAC) have yielded just three goals this season, still transitioning to the new level of play. Shelby Ross leads the Pride with four points on the season and a team-high 19 shots, including six on target.

Sunday, the Lakers will honor seven seniors playing their final home regular season match at the GVSU Soccer Field. While senior day is always special, this one has a bit of an extra edge for Hosler, who started his career at GVSU four years ago with the ladies being honored this weekend.
 
"Senior day is always emotional. This class has done a lot for this program and have achieved a great many things together and individually," said Hosler. "This class has an extra-special place in my heart since we came in together and have experienced everything right along each other's side. Most importantly, I'm proud of who they are as people. Great ambassadors for our program and great teammates."
 
After the festivities, the Lakers will turn their attention to the Panthers (7-4-1, 3-2-1 GLIAC), who have won two conference matches in a row. They are coming off a thrilling come-from-behind win at Northwood last Sunday, when Davenport scored three unanswered goals in the second half to force overtime then Madeleine Zayan netted the game-winner in the 100' to cap off the comeback. Zayan leads the Panthers this year in goals (6), points (13) and shots (35).
 
Nine of the Panthers contests this season have been decided by a goal or less with the Panthers going 5-3-1 in those matches. Davenport has also been stellar on the road this season, compiling a 5-1 record away from home.  
 
The Lakers look to extend their 11-game win streak and prove their home dominance to the newcomers in the GLIAC this weekend. The offensive explosion over the last three matches has shown promise and now GVSU looks to carry that momentum towards the final weeks of the regular season and gear up for another deep post-season run.