In five seasons under head coach Jeff Hosler, the Grand Valley State Lakers have conceded a total of just 56 goals (11.2 goals allowed per season). The span includes a pair of seasons with single-digit goals allowed in 2018 and 2016 to earn GVSU a reputation as one of the best defensive teams in the country. With unanimous 2018 first team All-American Cecilia Steinwascher back for her junior, the defense once again looks to anchor the perennial national contenders.
 
Steinwascher earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year last season while garnering unanimous first team All-Region and All-American honors. The center back is a proven tackler and ball-winner in tight spots and can also pitch in on the offensive end, scoring off set pieces and even converting a penalty last season. She'll have a familiar face joining her in the center back role with Olivia Trombley also returning. The Michigan State transfer has the height and air skills to be a great asset in defending and attacking set pieces and crosses.
 
Additional Division I transfers join the mix in the middle of the defense this season with Abby Willerer coming to Allendale from Central Michigan where she started all 19 games in her lone season with the Chippewas last fall. Morgan Krause, University of Iowa's Freshman of the year figures to rotate between center back and the midfield once she returns from surgery.
 
"Center back is a critical spot and we have a lot of experience and talent at that position this year," said Hosler. "Cec and Liv were a solid combination for us last season and they should be even more familiar with each other and our system now. Abby has jumped right in, as we hoped, and will also be a great option for us."
 
Junior Sydney O'Donnell returns after making a bulk of the starts at left back last season. Her one-on-one defending in space and ability to create pressure on the offensive end were big for the Lakers last season. Makenna Schoolman brings experience to the outside back role, but some freshmen will also be asked to step in right away.
 
Cate Brown, Sarah Smolinski and Brooke Russell are all versatile defenders that will compete for opportunities both on the outside and at center back as they look to bolster one of the top defenses in the nation traditionally. All three are proven winners at the high school and youth soccer levels and have shown nice development in their first collegiate preseason camp.
 
"Having Syd back to lead the younger outside backs will help a lot, but we're going to have to learn on the fly with some of our younger players early this year," said Hosler. "We have an extremely difficult non-conference schedule to start our season and it's going to be a big test right away."
 
Jessica Radice heads into her junior season after starting every match between the pipes for GVSU last year. Her growth in communication and leadership was essential for the young Lakers to make their deep run in the post-season in 2018 and, with that experience, she looks for an even bigger leadership role in 2019. Callie Rich is back for her sophomore year while two talented freshmen in Kate Feczko and Abby Russo join the mix.
 
"With this many new players, communication is so important and Jess took ownership of that last season and through the spring," Hosler said. "With (Assistant Coach) Megan Link joining our staff this year and her experience as a collegiate and pro keeper, we're already seeing our keepers make great strides."
 
The Laker defense looks to continue the dominant play that has helped the team to 10 straight Midwest Region titles, 12 consecutive GLIAC Tournament crowns and 14 GLIAC regular season championships in a row. The hunt for another deep post-season run begins this Thursday (Sept. 5) at 7:30 PM when the Lakers host Rollins at the GVSU Soccer Field.