Grace Women’s Soccer Headed To NCCAA Semifinals
December 1, 2022 at 12:27 a.m.
Grace Women’s Soccer Headed To NCCAA Semifinals
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lady Lancers moved one step closer to defending its NCCAA national crown by winning the group. Grace will find out its opponent tonight for the national semifinal.
Grace will be making its third straight appearance at the NCCAA semifinals; the Lady Lancers reached the championship match in each of the past two seasons. Grace won the 2021 NCCAA title, marking the first championship in program history.
Like they did on Monday, Grace did not need much time to score against Judson. In the 11th minute, JJ Aalbue drove along the left end of the field. She crossed into a dangerous position, and the ball snuck to the far post where Marlene Menzel finished the simple tap-in from close range.
The first half continued to be filled by Grace’s advances. The Eagles struggled to generate offense against the Lady Lancers’ midfield.
Grace had five shots in the first 10 minutes, including a pair from Madison Tuma and Aalbue.
With 15 minutes left in the half, Grace doubled its lead. Kailey Burrell used her left foot to score. She made a run along the left sideline and then curled a long-range effort over the goalkeeper and into the net from a tight angle.
Simone Castaneda earned the assist after setting Burrell loose with a long, leading pass.
Grace went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead. Both teams were credited with seven shots, but Grace had five of its shots on goal.
The game increased in physicality during the second half as the Eagles had their backs to the wall. But Grace’s possession continued to wear down Judson as the game continued.
The Eagles tried a few more shots in the second half but had almost no threatening moments.
The Lady Lancers, on the other hand, consistently put the ball into dangerous spots. Aalbue and Menzel had early chances for Grace. Midway into the half, Menzel tried a header in the box that went wide.
In the final five minutes, Luisa Machado tried a pair of shots that were saved, and Aalbue also had another chance saved.
The game ended with Grace holding the 2-0 victory. Grace secured the semifinal berth after winning the pool. Grace outscored its opponents 5-1 across the two pool play matches.
Sofia Lerro recorded the shutout in goal for Grace with three saves. Lucy Schmitt, Castaneda, Lilli Oberhoff, Danae Moriarty and Erin Crew were stout in defense for Grace. Judson did not have a shot on goal after halftime.
The Lady Lancers finished the game with 14 shots and nine shots on goal.
The Lady Lancers moved one step closer to defending its NCCAA national crown by winning the group. Grace will find out its opponent tonight for the national semifinal.
Grace will be making its third straight appearance at the NCCAA semifinals; the Lady Lancers reached the championship match in each of the past two seasons. Grace won the 2021 NCCAA title, marking the first championship in program history.
Like they did on Monday, Grace did not need much time to score against Judson. In the 11th minute, JJ Aalbue drove along the left end of the field. She crossed into a dangerous position, and the ball snuck to the far post where Marlene Menzel finished the simple tap-in from close range.
The first half continued to be filled by Grace’s advances. The Eagles struggled to generate offense against the Lady Lancers’ midfield.
Grace had five shots in the first 10 minutes, including a pair from Madison Tuma and Aalbue.
With 15 minutes left in the half, Grace doubled its lead. Kailey Burrell used her left foot to score. She made a run along the left sideline and then curled a long-range effort over the goalkeeper and into the net from a tight angle.
Simone Castaneda earned the assist after setting Burrell loose with a long, leading pass.
Grace went into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead. Both teams were credited with seven shots, but Grace had five of its shots on goal.
The game increased in physicality during the second half as the Eagles had their backs to the wall. But Grace’s possession continued to wear down Judson as the game continued.
The Eagles tried a few more shots in the second half but had almost no threatening moments.
The Lady Lancers, on the other hand, consistently put the ball into dangerous spots. Aalbue and Menzel had early chances for Grace. Midway into the half, Menzel tried a header in the box that went wide.
In the final five minutes, Luisa Machado tried a pair of shots that were saved, and Aalbue also had another chance saved.
The game ended with Grace holding the 2-0 victory. Grace secured the semifinal berth after winning the pool. Grace outscored its opponents 5-1 across the two pool play matches.
Sofia Lerro recorded the shutout in goal for Grace with three saves. Lucy Schmitt, Castaneda, Lilli Oberhoff, Danae Moriarty and Erin Crew were stout in defense for Grace. Judson did not have a shot on goal after halftime.
The Lady Lancers finished the game with 14 shots and nine shots on goal.
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