ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No. 4 Grand Valley State Lakers continue non-conference play this weekend with a pair of familiar foes. GVSU will host fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member Saginaw Valley State in non-conference action on Friday (Sept. 27) in the first Friday Night Under the Lights match of the season. They'll then travel to Midland, Michigan for a non-league showdown on Sunday (Sept. 29) with the Northwood Timberwolves at 2:30 PM.
 
The Lakers have responded from their first loss of the year with back-to-back shutout wins. After a thrilling 1-0 win at No. 13 Columbus State last Saturday, the GVSU offense erupted for a 6-0 win over Illinois-Springfield Tuesday (Sept. 24) in their third home match of the year. Ava Cook scored five of the seven goals over the two wins, including both game-winners.
 
"We've responded to that loss last week the way I'd hoped, with a tenacity and edge throughout all three lines," said GVSU head coach Jeff Hosler. "Our focus now is maintaining that energy and using it to continue to grow and get better as the season progresses."
 
Saginaw Valley State took the Lakers to overtime last season before Cook broke the scoreless tie just three minutes into extra time for the golden-goal winner. This year's Cardinals are off to a 2-3 start to the season, most recently falling at No. 11 Ferris State, 2-0, in non-conference action.  The Cardinals have been shut out in all three of their losses this year."
 
"Don't let the slow start fool you, this is a really experienced and talented Saginaw Valley team," Hosler said. "They are aggressive and skilled up front and will make you pay for mistakes."
 
Jennifer Muana leads the team with a pair of goals this season while three other Cardinals have found the back of the net once. Valentina Giambanco hasn't scored yet this season but brings 19 career goals into her senior campaign after breaking out with a nine-goal, six-assist season as a junior. Freshman Ally Gaunt has been thrown into the fire as the predominant keeper for SVSU so far this year, starting four of their five matches. She's made 11 saves on 15 chances and is proving to learn quickly at the collegiate level.
 
Northwood took GVSU to the wire in both meetings last season, with the Lakers grinding out 1-0 results in both meetings. Starting their season with a 4-1 mark, the Timberwolves are building confidence early in 2019. They drew against Division I Detroit Mercy in an exhibition, their only loss came in overtime at Findley, and they've rattled off three straight victories since.
 
"Chelsea (Hunter) has done a great job of building a tough and physical roster that clogs gaps and makes it difficult to penetrate forward," Hosler said. "They made things really difficult for us last season and only graduated two seniors from that team, so we expect the same type of challenge. We'll have to be ready to battle for 90 minutes to get a positive road result."
 
Freshman Juliana Paoletti has exploded onto the scene for five goals in as many collegiate matches. Senior midfielder Karina Parker has added three goals and classmate Katelyn Wilkowski has a goal and assist. The Timberwolves host Ashland Friday afternoon before welcoming the Lakers to town on Sunday.
 
GVSU gets their first taste of GLIAC opponents this weekend, although the matches won't count towards their conference record. With a lot of excitement around the Friday Nights Under the Lights match on Friday – with fireworks, giveaways, free food and more – the crowd should be a big one for the Battle of the Valleys. The Lakers look to ride that energy and get on a win streak as they barrel towards the true GLIAC season.