ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No. 3 Grand Valley State Lakers look to remain undefeated as they enter their final match before conference play, traveling across town to face the Davenport Panthers Sunday. The Panthers are a fellow member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), but Sunday will not count as the league match – that will come in Allendale in the regular season finale.
 
The Lakers are 6-0-1 to begin the year, the team's best start since 2013. Dominating possession and virtually every offensive statistic, the Lakers are outscoring their opponents 23-1 this season. The Lakers are tied for ninth in the nation at 3.29 goals per game, led by Riko Sagara's five goals and 13 points. Jessica Radice and the GVSU defense have pitched six straight shutouts since allowing a penalty kick goal in the season opener, putting the Lakers second in the nation with a .138 goals against average. The Lakers are the only team in Division II currently ranked in the top ten in both scoring offense and scoring defense.
 
This will be just the second road match of the year for the Lakers, who played to a scoreless draw at Ashland last Sunday despite a heavy advantage in possession, shots, shots on goal and corner kicks. The trip this week will be much shorter, crossing over just southeast of Grand Rapids where the 2-3 Panthers await.
 
While Davenport is sub-.500, they have certainly challenged themselves with their schedule. They got a signature win over then-No. 11 Quincy, who the Lakers beat in the NCAA Regional Championship last season, 2-0 on the road. They've lost back-to-back matches to Ashland and Ferris State but both teams are featured in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. The Panthers have scored four goals this season and four different players have scored. Macie DeWyse has made 24 saves in net for the Panthers, fifth-most in the GLIAC this season.
 
Coach Hosler on Davenport, "This team has been tested early and not only competed well but found good results.  They are always tough to beat and will do a sound job defensively.  It's important that we bring the physicality to them and have courage in and the around the box."
 
GVSU looks to remain unbeaten as they play another in-region opponent, their final match before conference play begins next week. The Lakers bounced back from being shutout in a draw last week to return to their explosive ways on the offensive end. They'll hope to continue that trend Sunday and come away with their first road win of the season.