This past Saturday, the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team displayed defensive dominance in a 2-0 exhibition win against Northwood University.
During the pressure-filled performance, fans were given a first look into the Lakers’ 2025 season. While the contest won’t go into NCAA record books, it provided both programs with valuable minutes on the pitch, a chance to test new lineups and an early measure of where each team stands. For the Lakers, the focus was on blending veteran leadership with emerging talent.
Applying pressure was the key focus in the first half, as the Timberwolves had possession for most of the opening period. 17 minutes in, junior forward Alli French buried the first goal of the game from a distance. Less than two minutes later, senior defender Mackenzie Ford added the Lakers’ second, capitalizing on a free kick from junior midfielder Sonya Mehta, who delivered a perfect setup following a Timberwolves’ yellow card.
For Ford, this was a rare moment in the box, one she fully embraced.
“I don’t get in the box very often, so it’s definitely a privilege to get up there,” said Ford. “I just wanted to put (everything) I had onto it, and it was a beautiful ball by Sonya.”
As the first half wore on, head coach Katelyn Longino emphasized keeping fresh legs on the field while maintaining the Lakers’ relentless pressure. By halftime, GVSU’s defense had been instrumental in preserving the two-goal advantage, holding the Timberwolves without a single shot on target. It was a quiet first half for redshirt freshman goalkeeper Sara Csernyik.
The second half was also relatively serene with neither team notching a goal and Northwood still not being able to get a shot on goal. Defensively, the Lakers locked things down, holding Northwood to zero shots on goal all game.
Ford credited the back line’s connection and discipline.
“We worked a lot this week on being connected, us three in the back,” said Ford. “Applying that today really made it easier for our goalie and kept things under control.”
Longino echoed this emphasis on team connections, noting that while the game was only an exhibition, it served as an important step in the team’s development.
“Credit to Northwood, they came out and competed,” said Longino. “For us, we wanted to create opportunities, and we got inside the 18-yard box numerous times. We just have to be more clinical in that space. From the Findlay game into this one, we’re starting to put some puzzle pieces together. There’s still a lot of work to do, but it’s exciting.”
Sophomore Kendall Aikens highlighted the team’s growing bond as a sound factor in their performance and dominating victory.
“We’ve gotten very close these past couple of weeks,” said Aikens. “Spending so much time together off the field has really helped us on the field. Our bond is strong, and that makes us excited for every match.”
Looking ahead, the Lakers will travel to face No. 16 Ashland on Sept. 4 before returning home for their season opener. Longino believes the lessons from this match against Northwood will help them continue building momentum.
“It’s about getting better every day, being clinical in how we finish and finding a variety of ways to attack,” said Longino. “Today we saw glimpses of that, and now it’s about raising the level even higher.”
