COVERAGE LINKS
Friday (Sept. 24): LIVE STATS    LIVE VIDEO
Sunday (Sept. 26): LIVE STATS    LIVE VIDEO

WEEKEND PREVIEW
The No. 2 Grand Valley State Lakers return to their home field for the first time since opening weekend to welcome in the Parkside Rangers Friday (Sept. 24) night for a Friday Night Under the Lights 7:00 PM kickoff. It's a blackout at the GVSU Soccer Field with free t-shirts for the first 100 students. The Lakers will then get back on the road Sunday (Sept. 26) to face Purdue Northwest with a 1:00 ET/12 CT kickoff in Hammond, Indiana.
 
GVSU continued their undefeated start to the season last weekend as they opened GLIAC play in the Upper Peninsula with shutout wins over Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech. The Lakers have now outscored their opponents 20-2 through their 6-0 start to the season with five shutouts.
 
A diverse offensive attack has seen nine different Lakers provide goals this season and five scoring multiple times. Kennedy Bearden has scored five goals to lead the way with a goal in five of six games and an assist in the other, giving her at least one point in every match so far. Taylor Reid has been a true facilitator, matching the GLIAC lead in assists this year with four.
 
"Our team has really embraced the 'we over me' mentality and has played a selfless style with great combinations and team-oriented effort," head coach Jim Conlon said.
 
A similar team-style defense has led to the success on that side of the ball as well. With three-time All-American Cecilia Steinwascher leading a talented line that has shown versatility and depth in the early goings, the Lakers defensive prowess hasn't skipped a beat under a new coaching staff.
 
"The girls are doing what is asked of them. We're still getting to know each other and learning what each player can bring individually, but it's been a great start and I'm excited to see the way we've played defense as a team and where we can go as this season progresses," Conlon said.
 
The Parkside Rangers come into Allendale with a 2-3 overall record and 0-1 ledger in conference play. After winning two of their first three games of the season, the Rangers have dropped their last two including a 6-0 loss to Ferris State last Friday in their conference opener. The Lakers are 8-2 lifetime against the Rangers and have won seven straight meetings.
 
The Rangers have been outscored 11-5 this season with Alexis Baker scoring a team-high two goals. The big task for the Lakers will be trying to solve goalkeeper Mia Guyton, who's made 35 saves while allowing just seven goals in her four starts.
 
"Parkside is well-coached and they don't panic in the defensive third. Just because we get the ball forward, doesn't guarantee quality chances. We are going to have to focus on finishing and creating in the attacking third to find ways to score," Conlon said.
 
Purdue Northwest is off to a 1-4-1 start and 0-2 mark in GLIAC play, but both conference opponents so far have been either ranked or receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches national poll. They play their first road contest of the year Friday at Davenport before returning back home to host the Lakers on Sunday. They've been outscored 18-7 on the year with seven different players scoring. Emma Carter has the most shots (9) and shots on goal (4) for the Pride. Three different keepers have split time for Purdue Northwest with Bridget Grady holding a slight edge in minutes.
 
While it's a quick return, the Lakers will be happy to get their only home contest in a seven-game stretch. The home contest can be seen on the Grand Valley Sports Network and coverage links to both weekend matches can be found at GVSULakers.com while @GVSUSoccer on social media will provide live coverage as well.