The Grand Valley State women’s soccer team completed a sweep in the team’s two-game series in the Upper Peninsula. The Lakers (7-0-1) beat Northern Michigan 3-0 Friday, Sept. 23 and Michigan Tech 1-0 Sunday, Sept. 25.

GVSU has done most of its damage in the first half of games this season, but in the first game of the series against NMU, the Lakers scored all three of their goals in the second half.

Forward Gabriella Mencotti opened up the scoring with a shot to the lower-right part of the goal that made it past the goalie. Just five minutes later, Mencotti put the Lakers up 2-0 with another goal.

“We worked on combinations this week in order to set ourselves up in front of the goal,” Mencotti said. “I was in the right place at the right time, and our team did a great job of setting up goal-scoring opportunities.”

Freshman Mia Gale gave the Lakers some insurance with a goal late in the second half to secure the victory. Senior Marti Corby tallied an assist on the play, her third assist of the game. The insurance would be more than enough for the Lakers defense.

The defense held the Wildcats to only two shots the entire game, with only one of them making it on net.

“We were excellent defensively,” said Jeff Hosler, GVSU head coach. “We only conceded one dangerous chance all weekend, and that shot went wide. (I’m) really happy with the way our team shape has been and the commitment to transition defensively.”

The second game of the series against Michigan Tech featured much of the same from the first game, the defense pitched another shutout and Mencotti stayed on the scoring train.

“(Gabby) had a real sense of urgency about her this weekend,” Hosler said. “(She) wanted the ball and had a nose for goals. (She) gave us a real lift and a brilliant individual moment against Tech on the game winner.”

Mencotti found the back of the net early in the game on a shot from the corner of the goalie box. Her sixth goal of the season gave the Lakers all of the offense they would need.

The GVSU defense stymied the Michigan Tech offense, holding them to only two shots on goal the entire game. The Huskies only attempted one shot in the second half.

“Traveling to the (Upper Peninsula) and playing two good teams is always difficult, but we were able to capitalize early in the game and (keep) them off the board,” Mencotti said.

The two wins puts the Lakers on top of the GLIAC standings with a 2-0 conference record.

“Still plenty to work on, but we are in a good place with the miles we’ve traveled and only two home matches thus far,” Hosler said.

The Lakers’ next game will come against Tiffin as part of Friday Night Futbol at Lubbers Stadium Sept. 30 at 7 p.m., where GVSU will attempt to break the record for most attendees of a Division II soccer game. GVSU will also face off against 21^st-ranked Ashland Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1 p.m.