Dangerous and unpredictable were the best two words to describe the Grand Valley State women's soccer team in Tuesday (Nov. 4) night's GLIAC Quarterfinal match. The No. 11 Lakers only rattled off 20 shots, but the quality of looks were valued over quantity as they rolled to a 4-0 victory over Ferris State.
 
"I don't think we forced or settled for much tonight. We were trying to probe dangerous options. (The girls) went through the progression of looking for the most dangerous option, then the second-most dangerous option and then going with the easy or predictable option third," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "Last time out, I felt like we were making the easy, predictable choice first."

Even more impressive than its work at the offensive end, GVSU's defense held and opponent to less than 10 shots for the 16^th time this season. Limiting the Bulldogs to five attempts (none were on goal) led to the club's fifth consecutive shutout, and 12^th blank sheet of the year.

"We really limited (Ferris State's) opportunities today," said Hosler. "A lot of that was playing mistake-free soccer at the back, but a lot of it had to do with the way we knocked the ball around."
 
The ball got rolling for the Laker offense midway through the first half, when junior midfielder Katie Klunder broke a scoreless tie from just outside the 18-yard box. A pass from senior forward Jenny Shaba set Klunder up with an open shooting lane near the semicircle. What looked to be a harmless, arching shot from the Grandville, Michigan native wound up floating past Savanna Wojtanowski's outstretched arms and into the netting.

"I give Klunder credit, it was her first goal from outside the box," said Hosler, smiling wide as ever before finishing his answer. "It was well placed."
 
Roughly 16 minutes after Klunder put the Lakers on the board, junior Katie Bounds added to the lead with a 42^nd-minute tally. With Wojtanowski scrambling for a loose ball near the right post, Bounds maintained her composure, took two touches into an open area and drove home a shot into a wide-open goal.
 
Patience led to GVSU's third goal of the match, which came in the 51^st minute.
 
Shaba took a soft pass from sophomore midfielder Marti Corby only a few yards off the nearside corner. After waiting for Corby to get to the closest corner of the 18-yard box, Shaba gave it right back to her teammate, who sent a rocket toward the goal. Wojtanowski managed to get a hand on the shot, but could not keep it out.
 
The assist by Shaba was her 15^th of the year, tying Erin Mruz's single-season school record from the 2011 campaign.

"She has just been playing with immense intensity and focus over the last two weeks. She has really been plugged in to what we are trying to do, and what she needs to do," said Hosler. "She is putting herself in dangerous spots and played a couple of balls that were just six inches away from maybe getting a third or fourth assist tonight."
 
Freshman forward Gabriella Mencotti tacked on one more goal for good measure in the 57^th minute. Senior midfielder Charlie Socia put a shot on target, leading to a loose rebound that Mencotti made sure to put away for her 13th tally of the season.
 
GVSU improved to 16-2-1 on the year, and its win set up a much-wanted rematch with third-seeded Michigan Tech in the GLIAC Semifinals. Roughly two weeks ago, the Lakers and Huskies battled to a 0-0 draw in the Upper Peninsula. There were several scoring opportunities that got away from GVSU the first time around, which it will look to attone for later this time.

"I know we are eager to play them again, because we played far better than the results indicated," said Hosler. "If we replicate that intensity, the willingness to put in the work and discipline to excute, I think we will be much happier with the result this time around."
 
The GLIAC Semifinal and Championship matches will all be played in Columbus, Ohio on Friday (Nov. 7) and Sunday (Nov. 9), respectively. Kick off for the Lakers' semifinal contest against Michigan Tech is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Notes:
-This marks the fourth time GVSU has defeated Ferris State three times the same season
-Tonight was the 18th time the Lakers beat the Bulldogs by at least three goals
-In night matches played at the GVSU Soccer Field, the Lakers now carry a 20-1-1 all-time record
-Katie Klunder now has three goals on the season, making her the ninth Laker with at least three tallies this year
-Jenny Shaba became one of only four active Division II players with at least 30 goals and 30 assists
-Shaba also moved past Irie Dennis for the sixth-most career assists (31) in GVSU history
-GVSU is now 15-1-0 this season in matches when it holds an opponent to less than 10 shots
-The Lakers improved to 14-0-0 this year when scoring at least three goals
-By making her 94th consecutive appearance tonight, Charlie Socia tied Katie Johnson for the fourth-longest appearance streak in school history
-GVSU upped its all-time record in November home matches to 32-4-4 with its win this evening