ALLENDALE, Mich. – The second-ranked Grand Valley State Lakers will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play this weekend when they travel to Purdue Northwest on Friday (Sept. 28) and league newcomer Wisconsin-Parkside Sunday (Sept. 30). The Lakers are seeking a 14^th straight GLIAC regular season championship in 2018.
 
Riding seven straight shutouts in non-conference play, GVSU enters the league schedule 7-0-1 this season, having outscored their opponents 25-1. The Lakers .122 goals against average is best in the nation while goalkeeper Jessica Radice leads the GLIAC in save percentage (.917). The back line ahead of Radice has been equally impressive, suffocating the opposition to help GVSU to a 212-29 edge in shots and 60-10 advantage in corner kicks this season.
 
"Our defensive effort has been really good so far.  I've been impressed with the ability to stay switched on in matches where our opposition doesn't commit numbers to the attack," said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler. "Our back 5 rotation along with Jess have responded brilliantly when called upon."
 
The Lakers begin the GLIAC schedule at Purdue Northwest on Friday at 3:30 ET (2:30 locally in Hammond, Indiana). The Pride are 2-7 (0-2 GLIAC) this season, having lost each of their last six matches. The team has scored four goals this season with four different players finding the back of the net. They've also used a rotation between the pipes, with three different keepers getting at least two starts.
 
"For both opponents, this will be our first ever trip as GLIAC opponents.  Each venue and opponent will bring unique challenges that we are excited to embrace," Hosler said. "We are still a long way from playing a complete 90 minutes and need to continue to grow in our focus as we enter conference play in what is shaping up to be the strongest level of play the GLIAC has ever had." 
 
Parkside, who began conference play last week as well, hosts Davenport Friday before the Lakers come to town on Sunday at 3:30 ET (2:30 locally in Kenosha, Wisconsin). The Rangers enter this weekend 1-6-2 (0-2 GLIAC), but played tough in a 1-0 loss to a #22 ranked Ashland team last Friday. Parkside has scored 10 goals this season, led by Chloe Couves and Maycee Kroening with three goals apiece. Couves also has a pair of assists to lead Parkside with eight points.
 
"Our last trip to Kenosha saw an overtime win to secure a NCAA Midwest Regional Championship in 2014, so it brings some special memories for our staff," said Hosler. "It is a difficult place to play and Parkside has been very competitive and more than capable of finding good attacking moments.  We've got to play with a sense of urgency in order to secure three points."
 
The Lakers loop under Lake Michigan as they tour Indiana and Wisconsin in their conference openers this weekend. With approximately 500 miles of roundtrip travel ahead, GVSU looks to start league play the right way and remain undefeated in 2018. If they can pitch two clean sheets, they'll have a chance next week to return home in search of a ten-match shutout streak for the second consecutive season.