MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 3 Minnesota State Mavericks (1-0-1) are set for their first road trip of the season as they travel to Allendale, Mich., to take on No. 4 Grand Valley State (2-0) Friday at 6 p.m. in a top-five showdown.

The Mavericks opened their 2025 campaign at home last weekend against a pair of ranked opponents. On Friday, MSU battled to a 0-0 draw with Central Oklahoma before securing a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Central Missouri on Sunday. Senior defender Anna Van Wyngarden delivered the game-winner in the 76th minute, converting a penalty kick to seal the Mavericks' first win of the season.

In goal, sophomore Lauren McAlpine recorded back-to-back shutouts while playing all 180 minutes. She stopped all six shots on target she faced.

Facing the Lakers
Minnesota State owns a 3-7-4 all-time record against Grand Valley State, but the Mavericks enter Friday's matchup with momentum from their most recent meeting. The two programs last clashed on December 7, 2024, in the NCAA National Quarterfinals in Mankato. After trailing late, the Mavericks equalized in the 83rd minute on a penalty kick from Ashlyn Watt, forcing overtime. The contest ended in a draw, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout. McAlpine came up clutch, saving the Lakers' fifth attempt to secure a 5-4 shootout win and send MSU to the NCAA Division II Semifinals while eliminating GVSU.

Scouting the Lakers
Grand Valley State comes into the matchup with a 2-0 record after opening its season with wins over Ashland and Cedarville. The Lakers are looking to build on last year's 15-1-8 campaign, which ended in the NCAA Quarterfinals against the Mavericks.

Sophomore Sarah Fromm leads the Lakers this year, scoring three out of their four goals this season. Redshirt freshman Sara Csernyik played in all 180 minutes so far and saved four shots. She holds a 1.00 goals against average and has a .500 save percentage.

Fans can stream Friday's top five matchup on FloSports.tv.