Grace Soccer Falls In NAIA Tourney
April 18, 2021 at 9:08 p.m.
Grace Soccer Falls In NAIA Tourney
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lady Lancers played at a disadvantage for the majority of the game when an early red card forced Grace to play 11 versus 10.
Despite the odds stacked against Grace, the Lady Lancers still went toe to toe with the No. 4 RedHawks (18-0). Martin entered the game with the No. 1-scoring offense in the NAIA, averaging five goals per game.
But Grace held Martin to a single goal in the final minutes, marking the first time all season the RedHawks scored less than two goals in a game.
Grace had to make adjustments even before the game kicked off. Three days ago Grace lost a starter to COVID, forcing the team to adjust positions across the pitch. Taylor Binkerd, Liz Aalbue and Lea Moessinger were placed into unique, enhanced roles, and Danae Moriarty made her fourth start of the year as a result.
But Grace proved to be adaptable, nearly handing Martin a loss on its home turf.
Grace possessed the ball adeptly across the first 20 minutes of the opening half, moving the ball into dangerous positions.
The RedHawks were forced to counterattack, and Grace limited the hosts to two long-range shots.
The game took a turn for the worse for Grace, however, when the Lady Lancers were issued a straight red card on Grace’s first foul of the game. Grace was forced to play 11 versus 10 for the final 72 minutes of regulation.
The RedHawks had a few more chances after the red card, but Grace remained organized. The most dangerous moment came after an errant pass by Grace in the back, but Bethany Blackwood made a strong save on a shot inside the penalty box.
Grace kept the game scoreless at halftime. Martin Methodist had a 10-1 shot advantage. The RedHawks also had a 6-2 edge in fouls.
The Lady Lancers played bravely despite the red card, continuing to push for offensive chances rather than retreating into a defensive shell.
Grace’s offense largely came from the hold-up play from JJ Aalbue and the dribbling wizardry of Sacia Hanson.
The Lady Lancers’ defense gave Martin fits throughout regulation. Any chances that Martin had were outside the penalty box except for one shot with eight minutes remaining. Blackwood made a remarkable save, this time diving on the grass to prevent a winner.
But Martin finally broke through in the 85th minute, blasting a shot through traffic which found the back of the net.
Grace ends the year with a 12-6-1 record. The team’s only losses were to teams who are currently ranked in the top-eight of the NAIA or NCAA Div. II.
Grace reached the championship game of the Crossroads League Tournament as well as the NCCAA National Championships. The Lady Lancers qualified for the NAIA Tournament this month for the third straight season and fourth time since 2015 under head coach Michael Voss.
The future is bright for the No. 14 Lady Lancers as the team will return 9 of its 11 regular starters for the 2021 fall season.
Women’s tennis wins final road trip
ELMHURST, Ill. - Grace’s women’s tennis team made short work of Elmhurst in its final road trip of the year.
The Lady Lancers cruised to a 9-0 blanking at Elmhurst on Saturday.
Grace was quick and efficient in doubles’ play. Jayna Armstrong and Dayana Ortega did not lose a game at No. 1 doubles.
Lauryn Riegsecker and Kiersten Martin won 8-1 at No. 2 doubles, and Anna Graves and Ellie Hughes cruised 8-2 at No. 3.
Additionally, Addy Jarvis and Gretchen Adams swept their opponent in exhibition doubles.
Grace did not drop a set across all six singles’ courts. Graves was perfect at No. 3 (6-0, 6-0), and Armstrong was nearly flawless (6-0, 6-1) at No. 2.
Ortega (No. 1), Morgan Mast (No. 4), Riegsecker (No. 5) and Martin (No. 6) followed suit to win in straight sets.
Grace’s season finale is at home on Monday. The Lady Lancers will host IU Kokomo at 3 p.m. at Miller Athletic Complex.
Women’s golf team rebounds in round 2
RICHMOND, Ind. - Grace’s women’s golf team showed marked improvement between rounds at the IU East Invitational over the weekend.
The NAIA No. 24-ranked Lady Lancers struggled out of the gate on Friday, ending the day in fifth place with a team score of 355. Grace’s lowest round of the day for the A team was Carolyn Pacocha’s 87.
Abigail Fishel had an 86 on Grace’s B team, and Jalee Nunemaker also carded an 87.
But the Lady Lancers responded well on Saturday at Forest Hills Country Club. Grace shot 328 in the second round, moving up to fourth place by the end of the tournament. Grace’s second-round total was tied for second on the day with No. 17 Marian.
Lucy Young shook off an opening-round 92 to produce a sizzling 77 on Saturday. Her round of 77 was the third-lowest round of the tournament among all 55 golfers. She jumped 21 places on the individual leaderboard to place 12th.
Rachel Harvey (89-82) and Carolyn Pacocha (87-84) tied with a two-round total of 171, and Rebecca Hawes was right behind the pair with an 88-85 (173). Abby Slabaugh rounded out Grace’s scoring with a 186.
Nunemaker (178), Fishel (180), Olivia Shaw (186), Britney Klotz (209) and Julia Hildebrand (223) competed on the Lady Lancers’ B squad in the tournament.
“We dug a deep hole with our first round, but I’m really pleased with the way the ladies came back today,” said Grace head coach Denny Duncan. “We will need to use this momentum as we build toward our conference tournament in two weeks.”
The Lady Lancers will next compete at Rock Hollow Golf Club on April 24. The Crossroads League Championships are set for May 3-4 at Harbor Shores Golf Club.
The Lady Lancers played at a disadvantage for the majority of the game when an early red card forced Grace to play 11 versus 10.
Despite the odds stacked against Grace, the Lady Lancers still went toe to toe with the No. 4 RedHawks (18-0). Martin entered the game with the No. 1-scoring offense in the NAIA, averaging five goals per game.
But Grace held Martin to a single goal in the final minutes, marking the first time all season the RedHawks scored less than two goals in a game.
Grace had to make adjustments even before the game kicked off. Three days ago Grace lost a starter to COVID, forcing the team to adjust positions across the pitch. Taylor Binkerd, Liz Aalbue and Lea Moessinger were placed into unique, enhanced roles, and Danae Moriarty made her fourth start of the year as a result.
But Grace proved to be adaptable, nearly handing Martin a loss on its home turf.
Grace possessed the ball adeptly across the first 20 minutes of the opening half, moving the ball into dangerous positions.
The RedHawks were forced to counterattack, and Grace limited the hosts to two long-range shots.
The game took a turn for the worse for Grace, however, when the Lady Lancers were issued a straight red card on Grace’s first foul of the game. Grace was forced to play 11 versus 10 for the final 72 minutes of regulation.
The RedHawks had a few more chances after the red card, but Grace remained organized. The most dangerous moment came after an errant pass by Grace in the back, but Bethany Blackwood made a strong save on a shot inside the penalty box.
Grace kept the game scoreless at halftime. Martin Methodist had a 10-1 shot advantage. The RedHawks also had a 6-2 edge in fouls.
The Lady Lancers played bravely despite the red card, continuing to push for offensive chances rather than retreating into a defensive shell.
Grace’s offense largely came from the hold-up play from JJ Aalbue and the dribbling wizardry of Sacia Hanson.
The Lady Lancers’ defense gave Martin fits throughout regulation. Any chances that Martin had were outside the penalty box except for one shot with eight minutes remaining. Blackwood made a remarkable save, this time diving on the grass to prevent a winner.
But Martin finally broke through in the 85th minute, blasting a shot through traffic which found the back of the net.
Grace ends the year with a 12-6-1 record. The team’s only losses were to teams who are currently ranked in the top-eight of the NAIA or NCAA Div. II.
Grace reached the championship game of the Crossroads League Tournament as well as the NCCAA National Championships. The Lady Lancers qualified for the NAIA Tournament this month for the third straight season and fourth time since 2015 under head coach Michael Voss.
The future is bright for the No. 14 Lady Lancers as the team will return 9 of its 11 regular starters for the 2021 fall season.
Women’s tennis wins final road trip
ELMHURST, Ill. - Grace’s women’s tennis team made short work of Elmhurst in its final road trip of the year.
The Lady Lancers cruised to a 9-0 blanking at Elmhurst on Saturday.
Grace was quick and efficient in doubles’ play. Jayna Armstrong and Dayana Ortega did not lose a game at No. 1 doubles.
Lauryn Riegsecker and Kiersten Martin won 8-1 at No. 2 doubles, and Anna Graves and Ellie Hughes cruised 8-2 at No. 3.
Additionally, Addy Jarvis and Gretchen Adams swept their opponent in exhibition doubles.
Grace did not drop a set across all six singles’ courts. Graves was perfect at No. 3 (6-0, 6-0), and Armstrong was nearly flawless (6-0, 6-1) at No. 2.
Ortega (No. 1), Morgan Mast (No. 4), Riegsecker (No. 5) and Martin (No. 6) followed suit to win in straight sets.
Grace’s season finale is at home on Monday. The Lady Lancers will host IU Kokomo at 3 p.m. at Miller Athletic Complex.
Women’s golf team rebounds in round 2
RICHMOND, Ind. - Grace’s women’s golf team showed marked improvement between rounds at the IU East Invitational over the weekend.
The NAIA No. 24-ranked Lady Lancers struggled out of the gate on Friday, ending the day in fifth place with a team score of 355. Grace’s lowest round of the day for the A team was Carolyn Pacocha’s 87.
Abigail Fishel had an 86 on Grace’s B team, and Jalee Nunemaker also carded an 87.
But the Lady Lancers responded well on Saturday at Forest Hills Country Club. Grace shot 328 in the second round, moving up to fourth place by the end of the tournament. Grace’s second-round total was tied for second on the day with No. 17 Marian.
Lucy Young shook off an opening-round 92 to produce a sizzling 77 on Saturday. Her round of 77 was the third-lowest round of the tournament among all 55 golfers. She jumped 21 places on the individual leaderboard to place 12th.
Rachel Harvey (89-82) and Carolyn Pacocha (87-84) tied with a two-round total of 171, and Rebecca Hawes was right behind the pair with an 88-85 (173). Abby Slabaugh rounded out Grace’s scoring with a 186.
Nunemaker (178), Fishel (180), Olivia Shaw (186), Britney Klotz (209) and Julia Hildebrand (223) competed on the Lady Lancers’ B squad in the tournament.
“We dug a deep hole with our first round, but I’m really pleased with the way the ladies came back today,” said Grace head coach Denny Duncan. “We will need to use this momentum as we build toward our conference tournament in two weeks.”
The Lady Lancers will next compete at Rock Hollow Golf Club on April 24. The Crossroads League Championships are set for May 3-4 at Harbor Shores Golf Club.
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