ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No. 3 Grand Valley State Lakers wrap up their season-opening, five-match homestand this Friday (Sept. 14) as they look to continue the team's best start since 2010. The Lakers will host the Northwood Timberwolves in a non-conference bout despite both teams being members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), then head down to Ohio for their first road match of the year on Sunday (Sept. 16) against another GLIAC member in the Ashland Eagles. With a midweek match with Indianapolis scheduled for next Tuesday (Sept. 18), the Lakers will be tested with three matches in a five-day stretch.
 
The Lakers have already shown tremendous depth, with 18 different players playing at least 45 minutes in a match and nine different players scoring this season. That depth will be critical for fresh legs in all three in-region matchups. The Lakers 4-0-0 start has seen the team outscore their opponents 17-1, with the lone goal allowed coming on a penalty kick in the season opener.
 
"I've been really pleased with the depth we've been able to establish in each line of play.  This has not only created options but competition leading to a different starting XI in each match.  That depth is something we will have to lean on heavily during this stretch," said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler.
 
The Lakers have at least a share of the GLIAC lead in a myriad of individual stats so far this season. Riko Sagara leads the league in goals (4) and points (9), Ava Cook leads the league in shots (20) and Caitie Baron is tied for the assist lead (3). Jessica Radice leads the league in goals against average (0.25). GVSU has also received the GLIAC Offensive Player of both of the season's opening weeks. Sagara took week one and Cook grabbed the honors in week two.
 
Northwood has begun the season 1-2-0 on the year. They opened the season with a 2-1 overtime win over Alderson Broaddus in a neutral site matchup before falling at Ohio Dominican, 5-1, to wrap up the weekend. Last Sunday, they fought hard against a tough Bellarmine side, but fell 1-0 on a 68' minute goal from a set piece. Bridget Adams made five saves on six shots faced in the loss. Northwood, much like the Lakers, are a young squad. They have played just one senior and three juniors so far this season. Sophomore Ashton Brooks has taken a team-high five shots and scored a goal, the game-winner in the season opener, while Jillian Hon and Katelyn Wilkowski have also found the back of the net.
 
"Chelsea is detail oriented and has great knowledge of the game for a young coach in her first year at the helm.  I expect Northwood will come into town well prepared to give us their best," Hosler said.
 
Picked to finish second in the GLIAC this season, the Ashland Eagles are undefeated to start the year, marching out of the gates 4-0-1. They tied at Lewis in the season opener, but have won four straight matches since. The Eagles came to Allendale last weekend, shutting out Bridgeport, 2-0, at the GVSU Soccer Field. Ashland has a home-heavy schedule to start the year, too. They will be in the midst of a five-match homestand when the Lakers come to town Sunday. Seven of their first nine matches are on their home field. Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Lee has started all four matches in net and is reigning GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week after six saves in a pair of shutout wins.
 
Offensively, the Eagles have five different players contributing to their scoring. Freshman Faith Lewis and senior Deijah Swihart each have two goals to lead the team. The Eagles have also earned three penalty kicks through four matches, converting on two of them.
 
"Ashland has perennially been one of the top teams in the GLIAC and are off to an exceptionally hot start this fall," Hosler said. "They looked really good when they were here just a week ago.  They play really hard, move the ball well, have depth and are very capable in all facets of the game." 
 
The new-look Lakers will get a preview of what conference play will hold and also get their first road test of the season this weekend. Combine that with the extra match next Tuesday and a tight window for three matches, and the next five days will provide different insight into how the Lakers respond to new challenges.