Overtime Goal Sends Grace Men’s Soccer Into Semis
November 2, 2017 at 2:33 p.m.
Overtime Goal Sends Grace Men’s Soccer Into Semis
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lancers trailed 1-0 entering the last five minutes of regulation against Mt. Vernon Nazarene in the Crossroads League Tournament quarterfinals.
But late heroics from Cody Boerema and Nikola Djordjevic gave Grace a thrilling 2-1 overtime win at 1st Source Bank Field, sending the Lancers to the semifinals of the CL Tournament.
The Lancers (10-4-4) will host Goshen on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the semifinals. The winner will play in the league championship on Nov. 11 with a chance to claim an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships.
“I’m extremely proud of the way the guys demonstrated resilience tonight. When there’s five minutes left in the game of that significance, you have to have guys on the field that refuse to quit,” said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. “The team didn’t quit tonight, and it says a lot about them.”
The first half was played in possession between the two teams as temperatures dropped and rain started almost simultaneously with kickoff.
The Lancers had a larger portion of possession, but Grace struggled to break down MVNU’s organized defense. Grace was unable to connect in its final passes all half and did not record a shot attempt in the first 45 minutes.
The first legitimate chance of the match came 20 minutes into the game. The Cougars (7-11-1) found space in the penalty box for a shot, but Grace’s Kurt Hamlin was there for the save.
MVNU, who outshot Grace 4-0 in the half, broke through in the final minutes of the half. On a free kick deep in Grace’s territory, the Lancers were unable to deal with the curled cross. The Cougars pounced on the loose ball in the penalty box to go ahead 1-0.
The second half saw Grace begin to piece together meaningful attacks. Breno Oliveira had Grace’s first strong look on a free kick. His hard shot was parried away by Goshen’s goalkeeper, and the rebounded effort from Grace went wide.
Ulisses Miranda also had a dangerous opportunity, but his shot was off the mark.
The Lancers tried seven shots in the second half, none more important than Boerema’s attempt. With just over three minutes left in the contest and Grace staring a 1-0 deficit, Boerema saved the day.
Oliveira found Boerema in space on the right side of the penalty box. Boerema cut back to the middle and sliced his shot over the goalkeeper for the equalizer.
Neither team was able to produce a shot in the first overtime session, but fireworks began in the second overtime.
Less than a minute into the second overtime, Gabriel Osti was fouled in the penalty box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Grace’s effort was saved.
But rather than give the Cougars momentum from the failed PK, Grace continued to attack. The Lancers earned corner kicks on back-to-back plays, which resulted in the winning moment.
In the 104th minute, Oliveira sent in a low shot from a corner. His effort was blocked, but the ball fell to Djordjevic who capitalized with the game-winning goal in front of the net.
The Lancers held a 12-7 shot advantage in the contest, including 12-3 after halftime.
Kurt Hamlin picked up the win in goal for Grace, making two saves. He was protected by the backline of Josiah Osborn, Zeb Johansson, Osti and Joshua Coupar as well as Togo Narusawa.
“Mt. Vernon gave us a really good game, and I thought it was well played by both sides,” Hotchkin said. “We are excited to move on in the tournament, and we will do our best to prepare as we look to improve our teamwork and effort. Thanks to all who braved some really cold and rainy conditions to support us tonight.”
Early Goal Dooms Grace At No. 14 Marian
INDIANAPOLIS – An early goal was the only separation between Grace’s women’s soccer team and No. 14 Marian on Wednesday.
The Knights (14-2-3) held on for a 1-0 win against the Lady Lancers in the quarterfinals of the Crossroads League Tournament.
Grace’s loss turns the team’s focus to qualifying for the NCCAA National Championships. Regional tournament information will be determined.
“The first 10 minutes of this match were great. We executed the game plan, and we appeared like we would take off from there,” said Grace coach Michael Voss. “Unfortunately we gave up an undisciplined goal for our standards and never made a significant turn in the match, and the minutes just slipped away.”
The Lady Lancers (7-8-4) tried to jump on Marian from the kickoff and earned early chances. Corinne Villalobos tried a shot at the Knights’ goal less than a minute into the match, but Marian made a save on her shot.
Marian stunned Grace with a goal off a corner kick in the 12th minute, capitalizing off a rebounded effort for what turned out to be the game-winning moment.
Facing a 1-0 deficit at halftime, Grace picked up its attack in the second half. The Lady Lancers outshot Marian 6-5 over the final 45 minutes but to no avail.
Kristen Bellinger, Allison Vroon, Sabina Meyers and Autumn Raulerson all tried shots on goal after halftime, but Marian’s defense proved hard to crack.
Villalobos’s two shots led Grace’s offense, and Abby Schue made four saves in 90 minutes.
“On a positive note, this is nowhere near where we have played at our ceiling. It’s merely one bad day. We will break this game down and reflect on how we arrived here and switch our mindset to NCCAA,” Voss said. “I have high expectations for this group, and we will work together at our best to build from here.”
The Lancers trailed 1-0 entering the last five minutes of regulation against Mt. Vernon Nazarene in the Crossroads League Tournament quarterfinals.
But late heroics from Cody Boerema and Nikola Djordjevic gave Grace a thrilling 2-1 overtime win at 1st Source Bank Field, sending the Lancers to the semifinals of the CL Tournament.
The Lancers (10-4-4) will host Goshen on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the semifinals. The winner will play in the league championship on Nov. 11 with a chance to claim an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships.
“I’m extremely proud of the way the guys demonstrated resilience tonight. When there’s five minutes left in the game of that significance, you have to have guys on the field that refuse to quit,” said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. “The team didn’t quit tonight, and it says a lot about them.”
The first half was played in possession between the two teams as temperatures dropped and rain started almost simultaneously with kickoff.
The Lancers had a larger portion of possession, but Grace struggled to break down MVNU’s organized defense. Grace was unable to connect in its final passes all half and did not record a shot attempt in the first 45 minutes.
The first legitimate chance of the match came 20 minutes into the game. The Cougars (7-11-1) found space in the penalty box for a shot, but Grace’s Kurt Hamlin was there for the save.
MVNU, who outshot Grace 4-0 in the half, broke through in the final minutes of the half. On a free kick deep in Grace’s territory, the Lancers were unable to deal with the curled cross. The Cougars pounced on the loose ball in the penalty box to go ahead 1-0.
The second half saw Grace begin to piece together meaningful attacks. Breno Oliveira had Grace’s first strong look on a free kick. His hard shot was parried away by Goshen’s goalkeeper, and the rebounded effort from Grace went wide.
Ulisses Miranda also had a dangerous opportunity, but his shot was off the mark.
The Lancers tried seven shots in the second half, none more important than Boerema’s attempt. With just over three minutes left in the contest and Grace staring a 1-0 deficit, Boerema saved the day.
Oliveira found Boerema in space on the right side of the penalty box. Boerema cut back to the middle and sliced his shot over the goalkeeper for the equalizer.
Neither team was able to produce a shot in the first overtime session, but fireworks began in the second overtime.
Less than a minute into the second overtime, Gabriel Osti was fouled in the penalty box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Grace’s effort was saved.
But rather than give the Cougars momentum from the failed PK, Grace continued to attack. The Lancers earned corner kicks on back-to-back plays, which resulted in the winning moment.
In the 104th minute, Oliveira sent in a low shot from a corner. His effort was blocked, but the ball fell to Djordjevic who capitalized with the game-winning goal in front of the net.
The Lancers held a 12-7 shot advantage in the contest, including 12-3 after halftime.
Kurt Hamlin picked up the win in goal for Grace, making two saves. He was protected by the backline of Josiah Osborn, Zeb Johansson, Osti and Joshua Coupar as well as Togo Narusawa.
“Mt. Vernon gave us a really good game, and I thought it was well played by both sides,” Hotchkin said. “We are excited to move on in the tournament, and we will do our best to prepare as we look to improve our teamwork and effort. Thanks to all who braved some really cold and rainy conditions to support us tonight.”
Early Goal Dooms Grace At No. 14 Marian
INDIANAPOLIS – An early goal was the only separation between Grace’s women’s soccer team and No. 14 Marian on Wednesday.
The Knights (14-2-3) held on for a 1-0 win against the Lady Lancers in the quarterfinals of the Crossroads League Tournament.
Grace’s loss turns the team’s focus to qualifying for the NCCAA National Championships. Regional tournament information will be determined.
“The first 10 minutes of this match were great. We executed the game plan, and we appeared like we would take off from there,” said Grace coach Michael Voss. “Unfortunately we gave up an undisciplined goal for our standards and never made a significant turn in the match, and the minutes just slipped away.”
The Lady Lancers (7-8-4) tried to jump on Marian from the kickoff and earned early chances. Corinne Villalobos tried a shot at the Knights’ goal less than a minute into the match, but Marian made a save on her shot.
Marian stunned Grace with a goal off a corner kick in the 12th minute, capitalizing off a rebounded effort for what turned out to be the game-winning moment.
Facing a 1-0 deficit at halftime, Grace picked up its attack in the second half. The Lady Lancers outshot Marian 6-5 over the final 45 minutes but to no avail.
Kristen Bellinger, Allison Vroon, Sabina Meyers and Autumn Raulerson all tried shots on goal after halftime, but Marian’s defense proved hard to crack.
Villalobos’s two shots led Grace’s offense, and Abby Schue made four saves in 90 minutes.
“On a positive note, this is nowhere near where we have played at our ceiling. It’s merely one bad day. We will break this game down and reflect on how we arrived here and switch our mindset to NCCAA,” Voss said. “I have high expectations for this group, and we will work together at our best to build from here.”
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