Grace Men’s Soccer Draws, Women’s Team Picks Up Upset Win

October 27, 2022 at 10:35 p.m.
Grace Men’s Soccer Draws, Women’s Team Picks Up Upset Win
Grace Men’s Soccer Draws, Women’s Team Picks Up Upset Win

By Grace College Sports Information-

WINONA LAKE – Grace's men's soccer team fought back from an early two goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against (RV) Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday night.

Felipe Gruber scored the dramatic equalizer with just 6:30 left in the game to earn the Lancers the crucial point.

With just one game left in the regular season, the Lancers (9-1-6, 4-1-3 CL) now control their own destiny as a win on Saturday would earn them the No. 2 seed in the Crossroads League tournament.

Wednesday's contest got off to a hot start as the Lancers nearly found their first goal just a minute into the game. After taking the opening kickoff, the ball was quickly worked ahead to Maxime Bregeon, whose early shot was sliced just wide of the net.

Not to be outdone, the Wildcats (10-3-4, 4-2-2 CL)answered back with a dangerous chance of their own, but they too had their shot trail wide of goal

Both teams were aggressive in the midfield as neither side was willing to surrender ground.

The Wildcats were the first to strike when they capitalized on a rebound to push them ahead 12 minutes into the game.

Juan Camilo Garcia had a chance to tie the game just minutes later as he cut across the box to put a threatening shot on goal, but the Wildcat keeper thwarted the attempt.

At the midpoint of the half Mateo Conci kept the deficit at one goal as he redirected a low shot on goal with his outstretched hand.

IWU doubled their lead late in half with a quick counter attack. A long goal kick sprung a Wildcat attacker free and his long run on goal was finished with a well-placed shot to put Grace in a 2-0 hole.

With under three-minutes to play in the first half, Grace would find its first marker to cut the deficit in half. Daniel Santos Rosa and Camilo Garcia played a beautiful give and go which Camilo Garcia blasted into goal to give the Lancers life heading into the half.

IWU out shot Grace 7-5 in the first 45 and had the game's only corner opportunity. The physical nature of the game saw both squads whistled for seven fouls.

Grace carried the momentum into the second half and slowly started to dictate the pace of play.

Santos Rosa nearly set up the game tying goal 10 minutes into the frame as he crossed a perfect ball to Martim Sequeirawhose headed attempt drifted ever so wide of the goal mouth.

Conci made a timely save on a Wildcat attempt as another IWU counter attack set lose a close-range shot.

The intensity of the match continued to build late in regulation as the importance of every chance was heightened with each passing minute.

The moment of the match came as Gruber headed home the equalizing goal off of a cross from Santos Rosa.

The Lancers pushed for the game winner in the final minutes, but settled for a draw which puts them in prime position to clinch the No. 2 seed in Crossroads League Tournament.

After the full 90 minutes, the team were level in shots (11), corner kicks (2), fouls (15) and yellow cards (2).

Santos Rosa assisted on both goals and Conci made four saves in the victory.

The Lancers will close out the regular season on Saturday at 7 p.m. as they host Mt. Vernon Nazarene. Senior day festivities will take place prior to kickoff.



Lady?Lancers Take Down No. 9 IWU

WINONA LAKE - Grace’s women’s soccer team knocked down No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan on the road Wednesday in a marquee victory.

Danae Moriarty provided the winning moment, scoring the lone goal during the Lady Lancers’ 1-0 victory.

The win locks the Lady Lancers (10-3-2, 5-2-1 Crossroads League) into a top-four finish in the league standings. They also handed the Wildcats (13-1-2, 6-1-1 CL) their first defeat of the year.

Grace can bump up to No. 3 in the league with a win on Saturday and another loss by IWU. Grace’s regular season finale on Saturday is at Mt. Vernon Nazarene.

The first half saw balanced action across both teams. Grace had the first opportunity when Moriarty’s attempt was blocked.

IWU countered with a trio of shots in a five-minute span with none being on target.

The Lady Lancers’ offense picked up momentum as the half wore on. Grace generated chances from Ashley VandenBoom, JJ Aalbue, Lea Fricke and Marlene Menzel.

Moriarty also tried a shot in the closing minutes of the half to no avail.

Grace ended the half strongly as the Wildcats were unable to find a shot attempt over the final 18 minutes of the half.

The teams entered halftime scoreless. Each side tried six shots in the half. None of IWU’s shots were on goal.

Even fewer shots were fired off in the second half. Only one shot was taken over the first 14 minutes after halftime as the teams sought the go-ahead moment.

With 20 minutes to go, Grace began to assert control of the match. The Lady Lancers’ possession began to wear down the Wildcats’ physical play, enabling Grace to move the ball at will.

Grace’s increased possession also produced several dangerous moments. The first came from Kailey Burrell, who broke free from a defender and launched a shot that was pushed above the crossbar by IWU’s goalkeeper.

On the ensuing corner kick, Lucy Schmitt played a header across the face of goal. Lea Fricke fired a quick shot at goal that was also saved in the box.

The winning goal came in the 81st minute. Aalbue made a strong charge along the left side of the field, beating multiple IWU defenders.

Aalbue’s cross squeezed through the penalty box and fell to Moriarty, who poked her shot past the goalkeeper.

The Wildcats had little opportunities for a late equalizer; Grace’s possession practically eliminated any chance. IWU only had one shot over the final 14 minutes as Grace ended the match in control.

Sofia Lerro registered the high-profile shutout, making two saves to blank the Wildcats. She made a strong save in the first half, parrying a cross from a corner kick away from the goal frame.

Lerro was protected well by Erin Crew, Lilli Oberhoff, Schmitt, Luna Gianotti and Simone Castaneda.

The Lady Lancers are guaranteed to host a quarterfinal match on Nov. 5 in next week’s Crossroads League Tournament.

WINONA LAKE – Grace's men's soccer team fought back from an early two goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against (RV) Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday night.

Felipe Gruber scored the dramatic equalizer with just 6:30 left in the game to earn the Lancers the crucial point.

With just one game left in the regular season, the Lancers (9-1-6, 4-1-3 CL) now control their own destiny as a win on Saturday would earn them the No. 2 seed in the Crossroads League tournament.

Wednesday's contest got off to a hot start as the Lancers nearly found their first goal just a minute into the game. After taking the opening kickoff, the ball was quickly worked ahead to Maxime Bregeon, whose early shot was sliced just wide of the net.

Not to be outdone, the Wildcats (10-3-4, 4-2-2 CL)answered back with a dangerous chance of their own, but they too had their shot trail wide of goal

Both teams were aggressive in the midfield as neither side was willing to surrender ground.

The Wildcats were the first to strike when they capitalized on a rebound to push them ahead 12 minutes into the game.

Juan Camilo Garcia had a chance to tie the game just minutes later as he cut across the box to put a threatening shot on goal, but the Wildcat keeper thwarted the attempt.

At the midpoint of the half Mateo Conci kept the deficit at one goal as he redirected a low shot on goal with his outstretched hand.

IWU doubled their lead late in half with a quick counter attack. A long goal kick sprung a Wildcat attacker free and his long run on goal was finished with a well-placed shot to put Grace in a 2-0 hole.

With under three-minutes to play in the first half, Grace would find its first marker to cut the deficit in half. Daniel Santos Rosa and Camilo Garcia played a beautiful give and go which Camilo Garcia blasted into goal to give the Lancers life heading into the half.

IWU out shot Grace 7-5 in the first 45 and had the game's only corner opportunity. The physical nature of the game saw both squads whistled for seven fouls.

Grace carried the momentum into the second half and slowly started to dictate the pace of play.

Santos Rosa nearly set up the game tying goal 10 minutes into the frame as he crossed a perfect ball to Martim Sequeirawhose headed attempt drifted ever so wide of the goal mouth.

Conci made a timely save on a Wildcat attempt as another IWU counter attack set lose a close-range shot.

The intensity of the match continued to build late in regulation as the importance of every chance was heightened with each passing minute.

The moment of the match came as Gruber headed home the equalizing goal off of a cross from Santos Rosa.

The Lancers pushed for the game winner in the final minutes, but settled for a draw which puts them in prime position to clinch the No. 2 seed in Crossroads League Tournament.

After the full 90 minutes, the team were level in shots (11), corner kicks (2), fouls (15) and yellow cards (2).

Santos Rosa assisted on both goals and Conci made four saves in the victory.

The Lancers will close out the regular season on Saturday at 7 p.m. as they host Mt. Vernon Nazarene. Senior day festivities will take place prior to kickoff.



Lady?Lancers Take Down No. 9 IWU

WINONA LAKE - Grace’s women’s soccer team knocked down No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan on the road Wednesday in a marquee victory.

Danae Moriarty provided the winning moment, scoring the lone goal during the Lady Lancers’ 1-0 victory.

The win locks the Lady Lancers (10-3-2, 5-2-1 Crossroads League) into a top-four finish in the league standings. They also handed the Wildcats (13-1-2, 6-1-1 CL) their first defeat of the year.

Grace can bump up to No. 3 in the league with a win on Saturday and another loss by IWU. Grace’s regular season finale on Saturday is at Mt. Vernon Nazarene.

The first half saw balanced action across both teams. Grace had the first opportunity when Moriarty’s attempt was blocked.

IWU countered with a trio of shots in a five-minute span with none being on target.

The Lady Lancers’ offense picked up momentum as the half wore on. Grace generated chances from Ashley VandenBoom, JJ Aalbue, Lea Fricke and Marlene Menzel.

Moriarty also tried a shot in the closing minutes of the half to no avail.

Grace ended the half strongly as the Wildcats were unable to find a shot attempt over the final 18 minutes of the half.

The teams entered halftime scoreless. Each side tried six shots in the half. None of IWU’s shots were on goal.

Even fewer shots were fired off in the second half. Only one shot was taken over the first 14 minutes after halftime as the teams sought the go-ahead moment.

With 20 minutes to go, Grace began to assert control of the match. The Lady Lancers’ possession began to wear down the Wildcats’ physical play, enabling Grace to move the ball at will.

Grace’s increased possession also produced several dangerous moments. The first came from Kailey Burrell, who broke free from a defender and launched a shot that was pushed above the crossbar by IWU’s goalkeeper.

On the ensuing corner kick, Lucy Schmitt played a header across the face of goal. Lea Fricke fired a quick shot at goal that was also saved in the box.

The winning goal came in the 81st minute. Aalbue made a strong charge along the left side of the field, beating multiple IWU defenders.

Aalbue’s cross squeezed through the penalty box and fell to Moriarty, who poked her shot past the goalkeeper.

The Wildcats had little opportunities for a late equalizer; Grace’s possession practically eliminated any chance. IWU only had one shot over the final 14 minutes as Grace ended the match in control.

Sofia Lerro registered the high-profile shutout, making two saves to blank the Wildcats. She made a strong save in the first half, parrying a cross from a corner kick away from the goal frame.

Lerro was protected well by Erin Crew, Lilli Oberhoff, Schmitt, Luna Gianotti and Simone Castaneda.

The Lady Lancers are guaranteed to host a quarterfinal match on Nov. 5 in next week’s Crossroads League Tournament.
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