ALLENDALE, Mich. – The No. 1 Grand Valley State Lakers will host the Davenport Panthers Friday (Oct. 8) night in a Friday Night Under the Lights at 7 PM. The night will have plenty of emotions as the team honors the senior classes of the last two years for Senior Night while pink t-shirts will be handed out to fans as part of Kick Out Cancer night at the GVSU Soccer Field. The senior night festivities for 12 student-athletes will begin at 6:35 PM.
 
Seven current Lakers and five who finished their career in the spring 2021 season will be recognized during the Senior Night festivities. Due to COVID-19, everyone was given the option for one additional season of play. Thus, this celebration includes fifth-year seniors, recently graduated seniors who opted not to take the extra year, and the current seniors that will not take their fifth COVID year.
 
The Lakers remain undefeated but suffered their first non-win of the season last weekend. After downing Northwood, 2-0, on the road, it took a furious late comeback for GVSU to draw, 2-2, with No. 9 Ferris State as Greta DeLoach scored in the 83' then Madie Knaggs got her first goal as a Laker in the 87' to equalize. DeLoach scored three goals over the weekend to vault into a tie for first place in the GLIAC in both goals (8) and points (18). Four Lakers are also tied for first place in the conference in assists (4).
 
The goals allowed Sunday were the first in a fall GLIAC regular season game since October 19, 2018 at Ferris State; snapping a 16-game fall conference streak without including the COVID-19 ridden spring 2021 season. The Lakers are still outscoring all opponents 30-4 for the year.
 
"I was really proud of the fight and determination we showed late Sunday to at least earn a draw. There were plenty of learning moments in that match and we have to continue to focus on getting better as a team day in and day out," head coach Jim Conlon said.  
 
Davenport is 1-8-1 overall and 1-4-1 in conference play. They, like the Lakers, are coming off a 2-2 home draw Sunday, playing Parkside to a stalemate. After an 0-6 start, the Panthers are starting to turn things around with four points in their last four matches. Haley Diekevers leads the offense with three goals while two Panther goalkeepers have combined to make 51 saves.
 
The Lakers look to keep the party going long after the senior celebration as they try to bounce back to their winning ways and remain undefeated in the 2021 fall season. The game can be seen on the Grand Valley Sports Network and gvsulakers.com and @GVSUSoccer on Twitter will provide live coverage links and updates.