The No. 11 Grand Valley State Lakers advance to 12-1 on the season and 4-0 in the GLIAC after today's big win over the Northern Michigan Wildcats. The 21-4 victory is the 10th consecutive win for GVSU this season. The Lakers will travel to Upper Iowa next week to face the Peacocks again as they prepare for the second round of GLIAC matchups. 

The Wildcats scored first, but it didn't take long for the Lakers to get on the board. GVSU responded with their first goal of the day from junior Molly Bursinger less than 30 seconds later. Senior Sophie Conroy and sophomore Maddy Champagne proceeded to score the next two goals to take the early lead 3-1. Northern Michigan scored one more goal in the first quarter to bridge the gap 3-2, but Bursinger was able to net another one with just six seconds left in the quarter and gave GVSU a 4-2 advantage heading into the second. 

Outscoring the Wildcats 5-1 in the second quarter, freshman Ashleigh Rothe got the ball rolling as she scored right away to open up the quarter. NMU responded with their last goal of the first half before Champagne and Bursinger each sent one home to give the Lakers a 7-3 lead. Conroy netted two in a row for GVSU to close out the half and the Lakers led 9-3 going into the third quarter. 

Junior Kate DeYoung scored first for GVSU to open the third quarter, followed by Champagne's third goal of the day. The Wildcats responded with what would be their last goal of the day and the Lakers closed the second half with 10 unanswered goals. 

Champagne led the Lakers with four goals and four draw controls, followed by Conroy, DeYoung, and Bursinger who each finished the day with a hat trick. Junior Maggie Hammer, sophomore Hailey Crittenden, and A. Rothe finished with two goals a piece, while senior Olivia Esposito and freshman Ellie Bernard each netted a goal for GVSU. 

The Lakers are back in action on Friday, April 8, for their second matchup against Upper Iowa.