ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No. 3 GVSU Lakers return to the GVSU Soccer Field for the first time in over two weeks, hoping that some home cooking will get them back on track as the team looks for another deep post-season run that begins Tuesday at 3 PM when the Lakers host the Michigan Tech Huskies in the opening round of the 2017 GLIAC Tournament. (VIDEO | STATS)
 
The Lakers (15-3-0, 9-0-0 GLIAC) went undefeated in conference play to earn the top seed in the tournament. GVSU won their 13^th consecutive regular season title and will have home field advantage this week as they aim for an 11^th straight GLIAC Tournament Championship. It hasn't been all smooth sailing for the Lakers as of late; however, after a 1-0 loss in a non-conference tilt with Ferris State last Friday in the regular season finale snapped a 15-match win streak for the Lakers. Head coach Jeff Hosler hopes his team took valuable lessons from the loss.
 
"Things aren't just going to come to us. We have to be better prepared and then provide actions that make them happen," said Hosler.
 
Looking for increased offensive production, the Lakers are averaging just two goals per contest over their last four matches. Gabriella Mencotti, who at one point had a stretch of three straight matches with a hat-trick, has been held in check over the five matches since, limited to just four points.
 
Between the low offensive output as of late and a strong defense from Michigan Tech (5-10-1, 2-6-1 GLIAC), this is a matchup that could pose problems for Grand Valley State. The Lakers got a 2-0 victory in Houghton, Michigan just 10 days ago, with Ava Cook and Sara Stevens providing the goals, but the physical match was tightly contested and Hosler and the Lakers expect more of the same in the quarterfinal matchup this week.
 
"Tech is a very sound defensive side that hasn't allowed many goals in GLIAC play and they made it very difficult on us just a week ago," said Hosler. "We will have to get back to creating more chances and finishing them."
 
Michigan Tech averages just 1.09 goals against this season, allowing 18 goals in 16 matches. Kirsen Hudak has started 14 of the Huskies matches in net, making 68 saves on the season with three shutouts. Her goals against average is a stellar 0.95 to go along with an .850 save percentage.
 
Offensively, the Huskies have been quiet this season, averaging 0.75 goals per match (12 goals, 16 matches) with five different players leading the way with a pair of goals each. Taylor Archibald has two goals and two assists to lead the team with six points. Brooke Schauer has two goals and an assist on a team-high 36 shots this season, 11 of which have been on frame.
 
The Lakers have never lost to Michigan Tech, with a career 12-0-1 mark against the Huskies since 2007 when the Michigan Tech program began. GVSU has also been dominant at home, with just one loss in Allendale since November, 2014. The Lakers hope to start a new winning streak and take advantage of their home field as the GLIAC Tournament begins.
 
The Lakers have been ranked first in the Midwest region in each of the first two NCAA rankings this season. After a loss last Friday, winning the GLIAC Tournament would go a long way towards preserving the right to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. If there is a silver lining to the loss Friday, it's the hope that the team has refocused and has a renewed hunger and energy as they head into post-season play. They'll look to put that effort on display Tuesday in the quarterfinals.