Sunday (Oct. 12) afternoon's battle for first place in the GLIAC standings had everything one would expect from a match of its magnitude: intense drama and an unlikely hero. Thanks to a game-winning goal by Sara Stevens, her third tally all season, in the 73^rd minute, the Grand Valley State women's soccer team remained undefeated in league play, earning a 2-0 victory over No. 18 Saginaw Valley State.
 
The No. 3 Lakers attempted 22 shots, but only 11 were on goal and even fewer produced legitimate scoring chances. Still, scoring twice against the Cardinals, who entered the match with the GLIAC's lowest goals-against average (0.38), is something to take great pride in.

"They definitely put numbers back behind the ball and were really disciplined in their shape and approach," said head coach Jeff Hosler. "At the end of each half, our fitness level showed, and a lot of it had to do with the fact we forced them to chase through possession. We started to have better combinations as the game wore on."
 
A quiet first half by both clubs heightened the suspense and tension for the second stanza.
 
Less than five minutes after halftime, GVSU created its most dangerous offensive opportunity of the match. SVSU keeper Claire Spleth was caught out of position, leaving the net wide open. Sophomore midfielder Marti Corby lofted a serve over a group of Cardinal defenders, setting up sophomore forward Kendra Stauffer for a clear shot at the vacant goal. Spleth scrambled back just in time to get a hand on Stauffer's shot, only to see senior forward Jenny Shaba drive a short shot back into her hands.
 
It looked as though the missed scoring chance would come back to haunt the Lakers. However, Stevens, a freshman forward from Plainfield, Illinois, made sure it would be irrelevant.
 
Stauffer sent a pass, initially intended for junior forward Katie Bounds, into the 18-yard box, where it found Stevens lurking near the goal. The Plainfield North High School alum, who only saw 16 minutes of action, sent her lone shot of the day into the netting.

"Sara has been getting better every day. We would have liked to get her on early, but we felt Gabriella (Mencotti) was creating enough, and drawing enough attention, in the first half that our wide players were getting some space, so we wanted to keep her on," said Hosler. "(Sara) came in today with a mindset when she went on; she was looking to make plays and make things happen. She was really active off the ball, anticpated well for her goal and was really composed."
 
In the 86^th minute, Corby put SVSU away for good with her eighth goal of the year. Mencotti floated a serve off the body of freshman defender Tracey McCoy, leaving Corby with a routine finish in front of the goal.
 
Outside of a breakdown in the second half, GVSU's defense made sure the Cardinals mustered nothing offensively. SVSU fired a mere four shots, only one of which was particularly threatening.
 
Senior goalkeeper Andrea Strauss came up with three saves to post her seventh solo shutout of the 2014 campaign.
 
The victory elevates GVSU, now 11-1-0 overall and 7-0-0 in conference matches, to first place in the GLIAC standings. By defeating the Cardinals, and with Michigan Tech settling for a tie at Lake Erie this afternoon, the Lakers are now the only club without a loss or draw in league play.

"Honestly, we haven't paid much attention to it. (Winning the GLIAC) is a team goal, but at the same time, if you pay any attention to it, you take the risk of not getting better on a daily basis and overlooking things," said Hosler. "We're looking for this non-conference game Wednesday to get us ready for two more GLIAC games over the weekend."
 
The Lakers will continue their four-match homestand next week, starting with Wednesday (Oct. 15) night's non-conference tilt against Ferris State. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the GVSU Soccer Field.

Notes: 
-GVSU has won 30 consecutive conference matches, leaving it one win away from tying Central Missouri ('09-'12) for the fifth-longest streak in Division II history
-The Lakers extended their home unbeaten streak to 68 matches, which is one win or draw shy of matching The College of New Jersey (Division III) for the fifth-longest run by a club in any NCAA division
-GVSU improved to 30-21-8 all-time and 13-8-1 at home against ranked opponents
-In matches when both clubs are ranked, the Lakers are now 29-11-8 all-time, including a 21-9-7 mark when ranked higher than their opponent
-Since 2005, GVSU is 13-0-4 against Saginaw Valley State
-With an appearance today, Charlie Socia has seen the field in 87 consecutive matches, moving her past Kristina Nasturzio for the seventh-longest run in school history