Grand Valley State’s Sanya Mehta, left, goes up for a header against Northern Michigan University’s Madalyn Nissen during their GLIAC women’s soccer game played at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Friday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — The Grand Valley State women’s soccer team showed why it’s the No. 3 team in the nation after dispatching Northern Michigan University 4-0 at the NMU Soccer Field on Friday afternoon.

The Lakers put up more than a dozen shots each half to outshoot the Wildcats 27-6 in overall shots and 15-2 in shots on goal. Grand Valley also held a 12-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Even with NMU goalkeeper Carly Sides making 11 saves in her second straight start, GVSU built a 3-0 halftime lead.

The Lakers improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while Northern slipped to 1-3-3 and 1-2.

Two dozen Wildcat players took to the pitch, including the freshmen debuts of Sophia Pietila, Mia Jonas, Caroline Wellnitz and Mia Clemence.

After the game remained scoreless for almost a half hour, Midwest Region No. 1 Grand Valley busted through with a trio of goals in less than 10 minutes, later getting its final goal in the game’s last 20 minutes.

The first goal coming in the 29th minute was off a free kick just inside Northern’s half of the field. Mackenzie Ford struck it well, with the ball going just under the crossbar. Sides got her hands on the ball but couldn’t hold on as it hit the ground and rolled in.

The Lakers were awarded back-to-back corner kicks about three minutes later, and while not converting the first one, did on the second one from the opposite corner, according to a game account from NMU Sports Information. A high curling delivery from GVSU’s Sophia Morgan went into the box to teammate Vesna Dennison, who directed a pass to Ivy Wilhelm for a quick shot in during the 32nd minute.

With 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the first half, the Lakers converted another set piece, starting from the same corner as the previous goal. The ball was played into the box before it bounced around and landed on a Wildcat boot. The defender went to clear, but it took a deflection and landed on the head of the Lakers’ Kacy Lauer, who knocked it in to extend the lead to 3-0.

The second-half goal came off a penalty kick. Sarah Fromm worked into the box before drawing a foul, and the right-footed strike on the ensuing kick beat Sides on her right side.

A half-dozen NMU players each had one shot, with Addison Frantti and Madison Bilbia making theirs on goal as GVSU netminder Macie Hunter had two saves.

Sunday afternoon’s game against Davenport at the NMU Soccer Field was the second game of a five-game homestand. Northern’s games this week are at 1 p.m. Friday against Ferris State and at noon Sunday vs. Saginaw Valley State.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the game. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.