GRAND VALLEY STATE LAKERS (13-5 ALL, 11-2 GLIAC/1st)

2019 Grand Valley State Preview

The Grand Valley State Lakers embark on a quest for a seventh consecutive GLIAC regular season championship with a new-look squad in 2019. This year’s Lakers are unanimously ranked in the Top-25 between the IWLCA and Lacrosse Magazine polls as MacKenzie Lawler begins her first season at the helm of the Lakers. In addition to a new coach, the team also loses 11 seniors from a year ago, including Erika Neumen and Meghan Datema who hold various program records. GVSU finished last season 13-5, falling in the GLIAC Tournament semifinals to end their campaign.

The Lakers do return some key pieces to this year’s squad. Rising senior Carly Shisler had a breakout season in 2018, scoring 46 goals and dishing 13 assists to rank third on the team with 59 points. The 2018 second team All-GLIAC performer also had 65 draw controls and led the team with 75 shots on goal. Abbi O’Neal was also a second team All-Conference honoree in her sophomore season, scoring 34 goals and dishing 17 assists. Kelley Fitzgerald was honorable mention all-conference after leading the Lakers with 39 assists. With some promising returners likely to see increased roles and a new coach to mix together young pieces, the Lakers should remain a GLIAC contender while finding an exciting new path in 2019.