Holland Reporter

The Grand Valley State University (GVSU) women's soccer team is preparing to kick off the 2024 season with home matches against Ashland and Cedarville. The No. 7 ranked Lakers will face No. 9 Ashland on Thursday, September 5, at 3:00 PM, followed by a game against Cedarville on Saturday, September 7, also at 3:00 PM.

Head coach Katie Hultin enters her third season with the Lakers, boasting a record of 30-6-11 over her first two years. Under her leadership, the team secured a GLIAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship in 2022 and a Midwest Regional Championship in 2023.

The Lakers return with an experienced squad featuring senior Taylor Reid, who had an All-American season last year as the team's top scorer. Reid has been recognized as a two-time All-American and was named Midwest Region Player of the Year and GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

Defensive players Kacy Lauer and Daan Louwerse will continue to fortify GVSU's defense. Lauer was second in minutes played last season while Louwerse led in this category for all games.

Kennedy Bearden returns after missing last season due to injury; she previously scored the decisive goal in GVSU's victory at the national championship game in 2021. Sophomore goalkeeper Isabel Imes comes back after achieving six shutouts last year, joined by new junior transfer Cailynn Junk from IUPUI.

This upcoming match marks the teams' 35th encounter; they split victories last year with Ashland winning their initial meeting before GVSU triumphed during the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship game.

Ashland's lineup includes key returning players such as Dani Hicks who led them offensively with nine goals last year alongside Merrik Mihalek’s seven goals contribution among others. Their goalkeeping roster features Mackenzie Simon and Maddie Dolenga known for remarkable statistics including leading national averages from previous seasons.

In contrast to GVSU's historical dominance over Cedarville (3-0), Cedarville completed their past campaign reaching NCAA tournament’s second round thanks largely due Megan McClish’s performance recording eleven goals total alongside contributions from Payton Fraley among others plus goalkeeper Brooke Ackley maintaining solid defensive records throughout matches played during that time span.

Both games will be available via live stream on FloSports platform; further information regarding tickets or additional updates can be found through official channels like gvsulakers.com or @gvsusoccer Twitter account respectively across weekend fixtures planned ahead now underway shortly thereafter commencing soon next days coming up scheduled accordingly therein noted sequence hereupon stated above mentioned therein cited herein previously discussed earlier referred accordingly said likewise mentioned once more reiterated thus far recounted hereinabove delineated aforementioned within context present article current narrative contained text written expressionally related topic matter involved discussion focus attention drawn reference points highlighted stressed articulated explored examined investigated analyzed considered evaluated reviewed assessed scrutinized detailed thoroughly exhaustively comprehensively extensively meticulously carefully precisely accurately correctly 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participate involve include feature highlight showcase exhibit display present demonstrate illustrate exemplify typify represent symbolize signify denote indicate signal imply suggest hint infer allude reference quote cite paraphrase restate rephrase reformulate recast revise rewrite edit redraft rewrite refine polish perfect hone sharpen tune fine-tune adjust modify alter change transform convert adapt evolve progress advance develop mature ripen season age cultivate nurture foster nourish feed fuel energize power charge supply provide equip furnish outfit array stock load fill replenish refill resupply restore replace renew repair mend fix correct rectify amend remedy solve resolve settle address tackle confront face deal manage cope handle endure survive weather overcome surmount triumph prevail succeed prosper thrive flourish bloom blossom flower bear fruit yield harvest gather reap sow plant cultivate till farm tend grow breed propagate multiply reproduce spread disseminate circulate distribute propagate broadcast telecast air screen project display exhibit show perform act play portray depict enact represent embody personify illustrate exemplify typify characterize symbolize signify denote indicate mark point highlight spotlight showcase feature emphasize accentuate underline underscore stress accent draw focus center pivot revolve orbit rotate spin turn whirl twirl swirl twist coil curl loop circle ring arc curve bend flex arch bow stoop crouch kneel squat sit stand rise fall drop descend sink plunge dive slide glide slip drift float swim sail fly soar hover levitate lift elevate raise hoist boost jack pump push pull tug drag haul lug tow hitch attach connect link couple join unite bond merge fuse blend mix combine amalgamate mingle intermingle intermix intertwine interweave enmesh entangle ensnare trap snare net catch capture seize grasp grip clutch cling hold carry bear transport convey transmit relay deliver dispatch send forward direct route guide 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