COVERAGE LINKS
Friday at Northwood (2:30 PM): LIVE STATS  |  LIVE VIDEO
Sunday vs. Ferris State (1:00 PM): LIVE STATS  |  ESPN3

MATCHUP PREVIEW
The No. 1 Grand Valley State Lakers prepare for a major test this weekend against a pair of one-loss, hungry GLIAC challengers; traveling to Northwood Friday (Oct. 1) to face the Timberwolves at 2:30 PM before returning home to host the No. 11 Ferris State Bulldogs on Sunday (Oct. 3) with a 1 PM kickoff.
 
The Lakers were bumped to the top spot in United Soccer Coaches' national poll this week, their first week at No. 1 this season. GVSU is 8-0 on the season and 4-0 in GLIAC play with seven clean sheets and all four GLIAC wins coming in shutout fashion. The Lakers have outscored their opponents 26-2 thus far on the year and have not trailed.
 
"Our focus has been and will continue to be on getting better every day and growing as a team. We have taken care of business so far, but everyone on this team knows we can keep improving," head coach Jim Conlon said. "I am proud of how quickly the young ladies have handled adapting to a new coaching staff and style, now we have to take the next step and build on that foundation."
 
Kennedy Bearden continues to lead the Lakers with six goals and an assist for 13 points on the year while Greta DeLoach has 12 and Chantel Carranza and Cecilia Steinwascher each have 10. Alicia White exploded onto the scene last week, scoring three goals – including a game-winner – en route to GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Three Lakers are also tied for the GLIAC lead in assists with four (Steinwascher, Carranza and Taylor Reid).
 
The Lakers have already earned two weekly awards from the conference on the defensive side with center back Cate Brown and goalkeeper Callie Rich. Steinwascher is coming off an award-worthy weekend as well as the leader of the defensive unit from a center back and defensive midfield position.
 
The Timberwolves are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches national poll for the second straight week. Northwood is 7-1 with their only loss coming by one goal to Ferris State last Friday. They've scored 28 goals in eight games and allowed just four.
 
Juliana Paoletti has led the charge for Northwood with a GLIAC-best eight goals and 18 points. Jessica Piper has contributed six goals and an assist while Abigail Fowler has four goals and four assists. In all, 12 Timberwolves have at least one point this season.  Sophomore Jane Stinson has been the primary goalkeeper, going 6-1 in seven starts with 36 saves, a .900 save percentage and 0.57 goals against average.
 
"Northwood is extremely well-coached and organized and they have a plethora of firepower to be versatile in their attack. Making the right decisions on the defensive side and valuing possession and limiting turnovers while still finding creative moments offensively will be key," Conlon said.
 
The Lakers will then return home for their fourth home game of the year as they welcome in the nationally-ranked Bulldogs. After a tough-luck loss in their season-opener against another nationally-ranked opponent, Findlay, Ferris State has run the table to a 6-1 record, outscoring their opponents 26-3 so far this year with four shutouts. They will host Davenport Friday night before heading to Allendale on Sunday. The Lakers are 33-4 lifetime against Ferris having won six straight meetings.
 
Grace Verhage and Bri Rogers each have five goals to pace the Bulldog offense while fellow senior Pia Nagle and junior Isabella Zamborini each have four goals. In all, nine Bulldogs have scored and six have multiple goals. Darya Mosallaei has logged nearly every minute in net for FSU, posting an .864 save percentage and 0.43 goals-against average with 19 saves.
 
"Ferris State is a veteran team, particularly on the offensive end, and they've really grown in (head coach Greg Henson's) system the last couple seasons. Like Northwood, they have different combinations to create chances and they are quick to capitalize on mistakes. We will have to play our best soccer and be both mentally and physically prepared to get a result on Sunday," Conlon said.
 
The three GLIAC teams in or near a national ranking all come together this weekend. While the Lakers have already played two nationally-ranked opponents this season, this will be a big in-conference test as GVSU looks to take the next step on their quest to defend the national title.