KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Decorated senior Gabriella Mencotti has a bevy of historic accomplishments in her career at the program, conference and national stage. Now, she's added a Grand Valley State first from the largest community of soccer coaches in the world. Mencotti has been named the United Soccer Coaches Division II Player of the Week for the week of October 8, the first Laker ever to earn the weekly honor.
 
Mencotti was dominant in the fourth-ranked Lakers' two road games during the week, posting seven goals and two assists for 16 points. She took 15 shots between the GLIAC games at Ashland and Tiffin, including 11 on frame. She scored four goals and added an assist in a 7-0 win at Ashland on Friday (Oct. 6) before a natural hat trick and assist in the first half as part of a 5-0 victory over Tiffin on Sunday (Oct. 8).
 
"This is a huge honor. It's super humbling and it's great to have that," said Mencotti. "It really reflects the whole team because, without them, I wouldn't have that. So, it's very cool."
 
"I think it's a great honor to have anyone recognized. Then, with such a proud tradition of success here at Grand Valley, to be the first one really speaks volumes about the weekend that Gabby put in," said head coach Jeff Hosler.
 
The big weekend nearly doubles her goal count for the season, giving her 16 on the year, and catapults her into the Division II lead. Mencotti led the entire nation in goals scored a year ago and, thanks to hard work, sees her numbers returning to form.
 
"We've been pushing her to be more efficient in front of goal and she was every bit of efficient over the weekend. I'm really happy for her, it's a well-deserved honor for her, she's been working really hard, and hopefully it's a sign of things to come," said Hosler.