Lancer Men’s Soccer Bests Houghton 2-1 In NCCAA Region Semifinals
November 19, 2016 at 7:14 a.m.
Lancer Men’s Soccer Bests Houghton 2-1 In NCCAA Region Semifinals
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lancers (9-7-3) will now compete in the NCCAA Regional Finals on Saturday 2:30 p.m. at Indiana Wesleyan. The winner of the finals will receive an automatic bid to the NCCAA National Championships.
Friday’s game featured a heavy dose of possession in a midfield battle. The teams combined to shoot 13 times with Grace holding a 9-4 advantage. The Highlanders (11-5-4) were held to two shots in each half.
Grace’s offense had the better looks in the first half, and the Lancers were awarded with a 1-0 lead.
Midway through the half, Grace won a penalty kick but squandered the chance by shooting wide of goal. A few minutes later, Jon Christensen unleashed a dizzying run towards goal only for his shot to be saved.
Not long afterwards, Grace scored. Binkley and his high school teammate Josiah Osborn combined to open the game’s scoring at the 28th mark.
The next shot of the game was almost an equalizer when Houghton rattled a shot off the crossbar.
The final 12 minutes of the first half saw more yellow cards (3) than shots (2) between the teams as Grace held its 1-0 lead.
The second half started sloppily and with physicality. With 21 minutes remaining in the contest, a Houghton player was issued his second yellow card to reduce the Highlanders to 10 men for the rest of the contest.
Two minutes later, Binkley found his second goal. Daniel Smith set Binkley free with a pass behind Houghton’s defense, and Binkley rounded the goalkeeper and scored to put Grace ahead 2-0.
Santiago Maya and Mitchell Zeilenga both nearly scored again for the Lancers. Maya’s shot was saved just before crossing the goal line, and Zeilenga’s shot went off the crossbar.
Houghton made the scoreline look better by scoring in the final minute, but the damage was done.
Binkley led all players with three shots and three on goal. Maya also tried two shots off the bench.
Kurt Hamlin and Robbie Barnhill combined to earn the win for Grace in goal. Neither player had a save as they were defended well by the backline of Jon Sands, Brayton Taylor, Christensen and Osborn.
Lady Lancers Advance In NCCAAs
WINONA LAKE – A first-half brace from Meredith Hollar gave Grace’s women’s soccer team a 2-1 win over Houghton College on Friday.
The victory moves Grace into the NCCAA Regional Finals on Saturday. Grace will play Indiana Wesleyan on the road at 5 p.m. for a chance at an automatic berth into the NCCAA National Championships.
All three goals on Friday were scored in the first 30 minutes of the match. Hollar’s goals both came within the first 12 minutes.
The Lady Lancers (7-7-4) started sharply, attacking Houghton’s net from kickoff. Grace’s aggressiveness paid off with an early goal.
Joana Schimmel gained space on the left side of the penalty box and squared a pass to Hollar, who tapped in the finish at the 3:28 mark.
Eight minutes later, Grace led by two. Hollar made a run into the box and was fouled as she attempted to make a cut to earn a penalty kick. Hollar stepped up and placed her PK beyond the reach of the diving goalkeeper for her second goal in the first 12 minutes.
The Highlands (10-7-3) cut Grace’s lead in half in the 30th minute when a through ball broke down Grace’s backline.
The Lady Lancers tried two more shots before halftime to no avail, taking a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The second half saw Grace hold a dominant 11-3 advantage in sots. Liz Van Wormer had two early chances in the half, having one shot saved and one go high.
Midway into the half, Grace had another good opportunity. Kaitlyn Hayes sent in a cross to Hannah Miller directly in front of goal, but the pass went just above her head.
The final 20 minutes of the contest were dominated by Grace. The Lady Lancers held the Highlanders without a shot while taking six of their own.
For the game, Grace outshot Houghton 17-8. Abby Schue got the win in goal for Grace, making three saves in 90 minutes.
Hollar had six shots, and Van Wormer tried three shots. Corinne Villalobos had two shots and one on goal.
The winner of the NCCAA Regional receives an automatic berth to NCCAA Nationals. Teams can still get into the national tournament with an at-large invitation.
The Lancers (9-7-3) will now compete in the NCCAA Regional Finals on Saturday 2:30 p.m. at Indiana Wesleyan. The winner of the finals will receive an automatic bid to the NCCAA National Championships.
Friday’s game featured a heavy dose of possession in a midfield battle. The teams combined to shoot 13 times with Grace holding a 9-4 advantage. The Highlanders (11-5-4) were held to two shots in each half.
Grace’s offense had the better looks in the first half, and the Lancers were awarded with a 1-0 lead.
Midway through the half, Grace won a penalty kick but squandered the chance by shooting wide of goal. A few minutes later, Jon Christensen unleashed a dizzying run towards goal only for his shot to be saved.
Not long afterwards, Grace scored. Binkley and his high school teammate Josiah Osborn combined to open the game’s scoring at the 28th mark.
The next shot of the game was almost an equalizer when Houghton rattled a shot off the crossbar.
The final 12 minutes of the first half saw more yellow cards (3) than shots (2) between the teams as Grace held its 1-0 lead.
The second half started sloppily and with physicality. With 21 minutes remaining in the contest, a Houghton player was issued his second yellow card to reduce the Highlanders to 10 men for the rest of the contest.
Two minutes later, Binkley found his second goal. Daniel Smith set Binkley free with a pass behind Houghton’s defense, and Binkley rounded the goalkeeper and scored to put Grace ahead 2-0.
Santiago Maya and Mitchell Zeilenga both nearly scored again for the Lancers. Maya’s shot was saved just before crossing the goal line, and Zeilenga’s shot went off the crossbar.
Houghton made the scoreline look better by scoring in the final minute, but the damage was done.
Binkley led all players with three shots and three on goal. Maya also tried two shots off the bench.
Kurt Hamlin and Robbie Barnhill combined to earn the win for Grace in goal. Neither player had a save as they were defended well by the backline of Jon Sands, Brayton Taylor, Christensen and Osborn.
Lady Lancers Advance In NCCAAs
WINONA LAKE – A first-half brace from Meredith Hollar gave Grace’s women’s soccer team a 2-1 win over Houghton College on Friday.
The victory moves Grace into the NCCAA Regional Finals on Saturday. Grace will play Indiana Wesleyan on the road at 5 p.m. for a chance at an automatic berth into the NCCAA National Championships.
All three goals on Friday were scored in the first 30 minutes of the match. Hollar’s goals both came within the first 12 minutes.
The Lady Lancers (7-7-4) started sharply, attacking Houghton’s net from kickoff. Grace’s aggressiveness paid off with an early goal.
Joana Schimmel gained space on the left side of the penalty box and squared a pass to Hollar, who tapped in the finish at the 3:28 mark.
Eight minutes later, Grace led by two. Hollar made a run into the box and was fouled as she attempted to make a cut to earn a penalty kick. Hollar stepped up and placed her PK beyond the reach of the diving goalkeeper for her second goal in the first 12 minutes.
The Highlands (10-7-3) cut Grace’s lead in half in the 30th minute when a through ball broke down Grace’s backline.
The Lady Lancers tried two more shots before halftime to no avail, taking a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The second half saw Grace hold a dominant 11-3 advantage in sots. Liz Van Wormer had two early chances in the half, having one shot saved and one go high.
Midway into the half, Grace had another good opportunity. Kaitlyn Hayes sent in a cross to Hannah Miller directly in front of goal, but the pass went just above her head.
The final 20 minutes of the contest were dominated by Grace. The Lady Lancers held the Highlanders without a shot while taking six of their own.
For the game, Grace outshot Houghton 17-8. Abby Schue got the win in goal for Grace, making three saves in 90 minutes.
Hollar had six shots, and Van Wormer tried three shots. Corinne Villalobos had two shots and one on goal.
The winner of the NCCAA Regional receives an automatic berth to NCCAA Nationals. Teams can still get into the national tournament with an at-large invitation.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092