COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No. 4 Grand Valley State Lakers will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season this Saturday (Sept. 21) as they travel south to face the No. 13 Columbus State Cougars, who also fell in their last match Wednesday. The teams were ranked first and second, respectively, prior to the losses last week. Between the Lakers trip to Mankato, Minnesota last weekend and the venture to the southeast this one, GVSU will have traveled a total of 2,722 miles over a two-week span when they return to Allendale Saturday night. Their early season schedule is also one for the record books as all five opponents are currently found in the national rankings by the United Soccer Coaches.
Grand Valley State hadn't lost a regular season match since 2017 and the only other two losses since were post-season Elite Eight and National Championship matches in back-to-back years. That 2017 season saw the Lakers fall three times in the regular season, including a 5-1 loss to Columbus State in the most recent match between the two powerhouses. GVSU is 3-1-1 lifetime against the Cougars, including a pair of post-season victories. This will be just the second time GVSU travels to Columbus, having played four of the first five meetings on neutral fields.
This 2019 Columbus State team has lost back-to-back contests after a 0-1 score line against No. 25 North Georgia on Wednesday (Sept. 18) in the Peach Belt Conference opener. It's the first time CSU has lost two consecutive matches since the second week of the 2015 season, when they fell to Tampa and No. 1 Rollins by a goal each. That season, the Cougars would reach the NCAA National Championship match, where the Lakers would get a 2-0 result for their third straight – and most recent – national title. The last time Columbus State went three straight matches without a win dates back all the way to 2004, when the Cougars ended the season with an 0-3-1 stretch.
"Columbus State is always very talented and well-coached. Jay is one of the best in all of college soccer. And after these recent results they will be extremely focused and hungry," said GVSU head coach
Jeff Hosler. "We'll need to match their energy and preparation while also being composed in order to dictate tempo, style of play and get on the front foot."
A team with plenty of firepower, the Cougars average three goals per game, scoring 15 so far on the young season. A balanced attack sees three different players with three goals each to pace the club; Riley Clark, Maddy Peterson and Kimmy May have all scored thrice. All-in-all, eight different Cougars have found the back of the net this season. Junior goalkeeper Bria Riancho has made 20 saves, but allowed all eight goals surrendered by the Cougars for a 0.714 save percentage.
The Cougars, much like the Lakers, are a possession-oriented team. But their shape and formation are designed to confuse and disorient defenses to create mismatches and free runners. The Laker defense, which has been one of the best in the nation for over a decade, will be heavily tested Saturday in not only mental composure and awareness, but the ability to win individual one-on-one matchups in important locations. The offense, which was shut out for the first time this season on Sunday, will look to get back to their prowess from opening weekend and match the firepower the Cougars will wield.
Two programs that have annual aspirations for deep post-season runs have been hit with some early adversity in 2019 as they collide in week three of this campaign. While there is plenty of season left, this match will be a pivotal moment for both teams' season story. And this chapter should be a very entertaining read.
