WINONA LAKE - If nothing else, the Grace College men's soccer team is learning to deal with adversity like never before. The Lancers remained unbeaten Saturday with a scoreless tie against Trinity Christian that left fans of the soccer team wondering whether there is anything that the team won't respond positively to.

After Grace's only goalkeeper was found to be ineligible just hours before the team's opener Thursday, the coaching staff quickly found replacement John Leopold out of a men's dorm on campus. He stepped in and made seven saves as the Lancers defeated Indiana Tech 2-1.

Saturday, Leopold played a stellar opening half again, shutting down the Trinity Christian attack. But a hard hit late in the period gave him a concussion and forced emergency goalkeeper Ryan Burgher between the pipes, a spot that he has never played in his two previous years of college soccer. Ironically, Burgher was the biggest offensive contributor in that 2-1 victory over Indiana Tech Thursday, scoring one goal and setting up the game-winner.

But Burgher made three big saves, including two in the two overtime sessions, that allowed the Lancers to pick up the tie. However, this game was played in the middle third of the field for the majority of the action and both team's struggled to generate many strong scoring chances.

Most of Grace's best opportunities came in the final five minutes of the second overtime as the Lancers had three chances to get the victory, but Trinity Christian's Pat Moroney made some two big saves and a tired squad failed to connect on another attempt.

Grace held a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal and Trinity Christian had a 5-4 lead in corner kicks.

Grace (1-0-1) will play next in the First Knox Cougar Invitational, hosted by Mount Vernon Nazarene, Friday and Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.

GRACE 0, TRINITY CHR, 0 2 OT

Shots on goal - Grace 7, Trinity Christian 5. Saves - Pat Moroney (Trinity Christian) 7, John Leopold (Grace) 2, Ryan Burgher (Grace) 3. Corner kicks - Trinity Christian 5, Grace 4.

Saturday in Winona Lake

The Grace College women's soccer team opened the 2005 regular season Saturday with a 3-1 loss to Trinity Christian at Miller Field. The Trolls held a 32-6 advantage in shots, but strong goaltending kept the Lady Lancers in the contest until late.

Grace freshman Rachel Wallace made a number of magnificent saves before Trinity Christian finally broke through with eight minutes to play in the opening half. Natalie Buikema picked up a rebound off of a keeper save and scored the only goal of the first half.

In the second half, Trinity Christian's Jessica Eenigenburg scored eight minutes into the action to make it 2-0, but the Lady Lancers struck back quickly. Only two minutes later, Grace senior Amy Nishimoto got control of the ball after a corner kick and sent a pass that freshman Ashley Bruner was able to send home to cut the deficit in half.

Trinity Christian put the game away with 15 minutes to play when Buikema crossed a ball that Minda Harkema headed home for the 3-1 victory.

Grace (0-1) will host Cornerstone at 4 p.m. Tuesday for its second match of the year.

TRINITY CHR. 3, GRACE 1

Scoring - 1. Trinity Christian, Natalie Buikema, 37:00; 2. Trinity Christian, Jessica Eenigenburg, 53:00; 3. Grace, Ashley Bruner (Amy Nishimoto assist), 55:00; 4. Trinity Christian, Mindi Harkema (Natalie Buikema assist), 75:00.

Shots - Trinity Christian 32, Grace 6. Saves - Rachel Wallace (Grace) 20, Jen Howard (Grace) 1, Karley Glass (Trinity Christian) 5. Corner kicks - Trinity Christian 5, Grace 3.

VOLLEYBALL

Saturday in Winona Lake

The Grace College volleyball team ran into a well-oiled machine Saturday, losing to NAIA No. 18 Cedarville in the championship of the Ramada Plaza Classic 30-14, 30-25, 30-14.

Cedarville and Grace got to the championship with a pair of three game victories Friday night, but Cedarville continued to roll Saturday but limiting Grace's hitters. The Lancers had a .394 hitting percentage in the opening round contest against Taylor-Fort Wayne, but Cedarville's defensive front held Grace to a .120 hitting percentage in the championship.

The Lancers did challenge Cedarville in game two, leading most of the way, but the Yellow Jackets responded with a late run to deflate Grace heading into the third game.

Jessica Hicks had a team-high eight kills to finish the classic with 21 and was named to the all-tournament team. Amber Birkey was also named all-tournament after she posted 13 assists, eight digs, three kills and a pair of blocks.

Grace (1-1) will host Indiana Tech Tuesday at 7 p.m. This will be Indiana Tech's first game in the first season of its volleyball program.

CEDARVILLE DEF. GRACE 30-14, 30-25, 30-14

(Grace Leaders)

Kills - Jessica Hicks 8, Candace Burns 6, Amber Riffell 5

Assists - Amber Birkey 13, Angela McClure 12

Aces - Angela McClure 2, Amber Riffell 1

Digs - Heather Huffman 9, Amber Birkey 8, Amber Riffell 7

Blocks - Amber Birkey 2

RAMADA PLAZA CLASSIC

Results - 1. Cedarville; 2. Grace; 3. Judson; 4. Taylor-Fort Wayne

Tournament MVP - Kelsey Jones (Cedarville)

All-Tournament - Julia Bradley (Cedarville), Lauren Mable (Cedarville), Jessica Hicks (Grace), Amber Birkey (Grace), Stephanie Swierenga (Judson), Sarah Hodgin (Taylor-Fort Wayne)

WOMEN'S TENNIS

Saturday in Goshen

A talented Grace College women's tennis team got some much-needed experience Saturday with the season-opening Goshen Doubles Tournament. Head coach Ryan Gould's squad sported a lineup that featured three freshman and three juniors and posted a pair of wins to four losses on the day.

Grace won two of three doubles matches against Anderson, but lost twice to Taylor and once to Goshen to place third in the four team tournament. Freshmen Julie Wegener and Brandy Allen defeated Anderson's No. 2 doubles team 6-1, 6-2, while freshman Kayla Semmerling and junior Juli Linton defeated Anderson's No. 3 doubles team 6-2, 6-0. Grace's No. 1 doubles team of Anna Metz and Sarah Peters just missed completing a sweep of Anderson, losing a three set match 6-3, 2-6, 6-0.

"This was a good way to start the season," said head coach Ryan Gould. "Our three freshmen gained a lot of experience heading into our three home matches this week."

The team will play at Miller Field Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, beginning with a match against Manchester at 3 p.m. The Lady Lancers will open conference play Thursday against Goshen at 3 p.m.

GOSHEN DOUBLES TOURNAMENT

(Grace Results)

No. 1 - Anna Metz/Sarah Peters lost to Goshen 6-2, 6-4; lost to Anderson 6-3, 2-6, 6-0

No. 2 - Julie Wegener/Brandy Allen lost to Taylor 6-2, 6-4; won over Anderson 6-1, 6-2

No. 3 - Kayla Semmerling/Juli Linton won over Anderson 6-2, 6-0; lost to Taylor 6-0, 6-2 [[In-content Ad]]