Two undefeated top-five teams entered Sunday’s match undefeated. When it was all said and
done, it was the Grand Valley State University women’s soccer team that kept its loss column
unblemished.

On Sunday, the No. 2 ranked GVSU women opened their 2013 home campaign as they faced the

No. 4 ranked team in the country, Minnesota State-Mankato University. Both GVSU and Minnesota

State-Mankato went into the game unbeaten—GVSU with a 1-0-1 record and Minnesota State-
Mankato with a 3-0 record.

“We prepared to play another tough opponent, as we did last weekend,” head coach Dave Dilanni
said. “Minnesota State-Mankato is a good team—one of the tougher opponents we will face this
season.”

This was just the second time since 2008 that the Lakers hosted a top-five ranked team at home.
GVSU came into Sunday’s game with a chance to start its season with wins against three ranked
teams. The Lakers previously defeated No. 5 Armstrong University and No. 13 Columbus State
University this season.

“We are a work in progress right now, the season really just started,” Dilanni said. “I’m happy with
where we are at right now, but we have areas we can improve.”

Both Laker and Maverick goalkeepers came into Sunday’s matchup by not allowing a goal.
Minnesota State-Mankato’s goalkeeper Molly McGough recorded three shutouts, while GVSU’s
Abbey Miller went into Sunday’s game with two shutouts.

“Our forwards and midfielders have done a great job in not allowing as many shots my way,” Miller
said. “Coming into this game, they knew what we needed out of them to win.”

GVSU started out strong as junior Charlie Socia recorded her second goal of the season at the 4:51
mark in the opening half.

“I’ve had more of an aggressive approach and I’ve been pressing a lot more this year,” Socia said.
“I’ve been lucky to be on the receiving end of great scoring opportunities set up by my teammates.”

The Laker defense survived all of Minnesota State-Mankato surges in the first half and took a 1-0
lead into halftime. The pace continued throughout the second half until freshman Kendra Stauffer
scored her first career goal as a Laker, pushing GVSU out to a 2-0 lead at the 70:48 minute mark.

“Our defense has really come together so far this season,” Socia said. “They have recovered really
well to the other team’s pressure, especially Minnesota State-Mankato’s today.”

GVSU held on the rest of the game, shutting out Minnesota State-Mankato. The Lakers doubled the
Mavericks shot attempts 20 to 10, which ultimately led to another Laker victory.

“We came out in the second half a lot more energized, which ultimately led to more scoring
opportunities for us,” Miller said. “Our movement off the ball created opportunities for them and
also kept the pressure off of me and our defense.”

Senior goalkeeper Abbey Miller has started the season on a hot streak as she has adds another
shutout to her resume and her third of the season.

“I have to credit my defense for not allowing any goals so far this season,” Miller said. “Take this
game by example: I had to defend only 4 shots on goal, compared to our offense which put 11
shots on goal today.”

GVSU is back in action on Sept. 20 when it travels to Ohio to face GLIAC foe Ashland University.

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