ALLENDALE – The No. 2 Grand Valley State women's soccer team hits the road for the first time this season for a pair of nonconference games in Missouri. The Lakers will take on Northwest Missouri State on Friday (Sept. 13) at 5:00 PM and No. 4 Central Missouri in a top five matchup on Sunday (Sept. 15) at 2:00 PM.
 
Northwest Missouri State: Live Video | Live Stats
Central Missouri: Live Video | Live Stats
 
GVSU opened up the 2024 season last weekend going 2-0 at home. The Lakers defeated No. 9 Ashland and Cedarville 1-0. Mackenzie Ford earned GLIAC defensive player of the week honors after helping GVSU to a pair of shutout wins. Ford played all 90 minutes in both games and was a main piece in the Laker backline that allowed just one shot on goal.
 
Emma Chudik scored the game-winning goal against Ashland off the assist by Sarah Fromm. Ryann Fetty scored the game-winning goal against Cedarville off an assist by Taylor Reid. Fetty led the Lakers with four shots in the opening two games. 
 
Goalkeeper Isabel Imes earned her first win and shutout of the season against Ashland making one save. Cailynn Junk posted her first career win and shutout as a Laker in the win against Cedarville.
 
Northwest Missouri State enters Friday's matchup with a 1-1-1 record. The Bearcats notched their first win of the season on Tuesday (Sept. 10) when they defeated Southwest Baptist 3-1 on the road. 
 
Ekaterina Theoharidis leads the Bearcats through the first three games with three goals and two assists for eight points. Theoharidis has scored in all three games and leads the Bearcats with 10 shots and seven on goal. Ximena Arnau has notched two goals inclusing the game-winning goal against Southwest Baptist.
 
Central Missouri enters the weekend ranked fourth in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll. The Jennies have started the season 2-0 with wins against Augustana and Illinois-Springfield. Central Missouri will face No. 15 Minnesota State before Sunday's matchup against GVSU.
 
The Jennies are led by Caroline Cole with three goals and one assist for seven points. Cole scored two goals including the game-winning goal against Augustana and added a goal and assist against Illinois-Springfield. Mikayla Ernst has scored two goals in the first weekend of the season on two shots on goal.
 
Both games will be streamed live on the MIAA network. Visit gvsulakers.com for links to live video and live stats. Follow @GVSUSoccer on Twitter for live in-game updates all weekend long.