MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 2 Grand Valley State Lakers look for redemption and to punch their ticket to the Steel City and return to the Final Four for a second straight season when they face the No. 13 Minnesota State Mavericks in the national quarterfinal at the Maverick All Sports Dome on Sunday (Dec. 8) at 2:00 PM ET/1 PM CT. The Lakers', the No. 1 seed out of the Midwest Region, lone loss of the year came to the Mavericks, who are the top seed out of the Central Region.
 
Grand Valley State is 22-1 this year and has already imprinted themselves on program and conference record books. They lead the nation in shutout percentage, pitching 18 clean sheets this year, and goals-against average. They made a run of 13 straight shutouts at one point this year, spanning the entire GLIAC regular season to make history as the first team in 25 years of GLIAC women's soccer to go the entire slate without conceding.
 
Offensively, the Lakers have been on another level – particularly in the post-season. The Lakers have scored 32 goals in six playoff contests; a 5.33 per-game average. Their overall scoring average of 4.70 is best in the country. With a nine-goal onslaught in the Midwest Regional Championship against No. 25 Indianapolis on Friday, the 2019 Lakers set a new program record for goals in a single season, now with 108 to surpass the old high of 104 set back in 2016. UIndy, for what it's worth, had conceded just 11 goals all season before the Lakers' barrage.
 
Ava Cook, who scored twice and added an assist in the drubbing, is now tied for the national lead in points with 61 while Riko Sagara is tied for third with 57. Chantel Carranza also rounds out the top five point-earners in the nation with 52. Caitie Baron had three assists Friday to give her 15 on the season, including one to Greta DeLoach for her tenth goal of the year. Overall, 17 different Lakers have scored this season with four in double-figures.
 
"Our team has continued to improve throughout the season because of a commitment to focusing on each day and making ourselves the best version of Grand Valley State we can be," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "We're seeing that growth culminate at the right time and – if we keep this focus – will keep getting better."
 
The Lakers have won 19 straight matches since their lone loss of the season to these Mavericks, when MSU scored off a turnover in the 88' to break a scoreless tie. Minnesota State is 19-3-1 this season, downing No. 4 Central Missouri, 3-0, Friday to advance to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2012. They've won four straight matches since falling in the regular season finale against Concordia-St. Paul.
 
The Mustangs rank seventh in the nation in scoring average and 14^th in goals-against average. Three players have scored in double figures, led by Jenny Vetter – the D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year – with 20 goals and seven assists this season. Brynn Desens is fifth in the nation with 14 assists while also scoring 10 goals. Allie Williams has provided 10 goals this season from a predominantly reserve role.
 
"Minnesota State presents a unique challenge in the amount of team speed and ability to create for themselves in attacking moments," said Hosler. "Our one-on-one defending and attention to detail will be critical on the defensive end. Offensively, we will need to be intentional yet patient to find moments to attack a very strong back line and capitalize."
 
With redemption on their mind, the Lakers are focused on the only team to beat them this season. If they can avenge the loss, this historic season will march on to the final site of the 2019 season. Grand Valley State's growth throughout the year has been a true testament to how hard they've worked each and every day. If they're at their best once again on Sunday, they'll find themselves in Pittsburgh.