Lancers Continue To Roll With Upset Win Over No. 3 Columbia
September 18, 2022 at 8:54 p.m.
Lancers Continue To Roll With Upset Win Over No. 3 Columbia
By Josh Neuhart-
The two top 15 programs went toe to toe throughout the match up, but in the end it was Martim Sequeira who scored a highlight reel goal worthy of the occasion to lift the Lancers (5-0-3) to the victory.
The reigning NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, Matteo Conci also played a vital role in the monumental win, making eight saves to blank the Cougars.
The win over Columbia (2-2-2) marks the second top five upset that Grace has pulled off this season, previously beating No. 5 Oklahoma Wesleyan 4-2.
While neither team struck early in the matchup, it was Grace who would push the tempo from the opening whistle. The Lancers had the first five shots of the contest, and held the Cougars without a try on goal until the midpoint of the half.
When Columbia did finally break through Grace’s defense, they were met by Conci who continued his great form with two saves in quick succession.
Both defenses held firm throughout the first half as the teams traded turns prodding the opposition's defense. Neither side would find success however as the game would enter the intermission still scoreless.
The lancers outshot the Cougars 6-4 in the first 45 minutes, and each goalie made four saves. Columbia had three corner opportunities to just one for Grace.
As the second half started, tensions began to rise with every offensive possession.
Nine minutes into the second frame, the Cougars headed a ball towards goal that forced a diving save from Conci.
Just minutes later on the counter attack, Grace narrowly missed breaking the deadlock. Felipe Gruber blasted a shot past the goalkeeper that rocked the crossbar and bounced away from the Lancers possession.
The Lancers once again seemed to grasp control of the game by winning the majority of loose ball battles and maintaining their intense pressure.
The game deciding goal was scored in spectacular fashion by Sequeira with 16:35 left in the game.
Following a corner kick, Daniel Santos Rosa sent a lofted cross into the box that set the stage for the magical moment.
Sequeira, who had positioned himself on the far side of the goal, perfectly executed a bicycle kick that launched the ball into the Cougars net.
Suddenly down by a goal in the late stages, Columbia responded with all the vigor that would be expected of a top five program. The Cougars tried eight shots in the final 12 minutes of action.
With every offensive attack the Cougars comeback hopes were stymied by the Lancers stout defense, who only allowed one of the eight tries to reach goal.
The lone shot that found its way through Grace’s defenders was pushed away by Conci in the waning moments of action as the Lancers completed the upset bid with a 1-0 win.
The Lancers will now enter Crossroads League having yet to taste defeat, despite seven of their eight opponents making appearances in the NAIA Top 25 poll at some point throughout the season.
Grace kicks off conference play on Saturday with a home matchup against Marian.
Grace nearly pulls off comeback at No. 18 Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Grace’s women’s soccer team concluded its road trip to Missouri with a high-profile matchup at No. 18 Columbia.
The No. 17 Lady Lancers outshot Columbia by six, however it was the Cougars who ended up winning 2-1 on Saturday.
The Cougars were aggressive to begin the match, firing off three shots across the first six minutes.
Grace countered with four shots over the next several minutes, including attempts by Lilli Oberhoff and Marlene Menzel a few minutes apart that were saved.
The Cougars jumped on the scoreboard first midway into the opening half. Columbia sliced a high shot that found the back of the net.
Things went from bad to worse for Grace seven minutes later when Columbia took advantage to score again, doubling its lead.
Grace struggled to find looks at goal in response, taking one shot over the final 10 minutes of the first half.
The second half was a different story altogether. The Lady Lancers outshot the Cougars 10-1 over the final 45 minutes, nearly completing the comeback on the road.
In the 60th minute, a header by Menzel looked sure to score but hit off the goalpost. She would not have to wait long for another chance.
Less than 10 minutes later, after another flurry of Grace chances, Menzel played a dangerous ball that found the back of the net in the 70th minute, setting the stage for a frenetic final 20 minutes.
The Cougars did their best to withstand Grace’s attack; the Lady Lancers fired off shots from JJ Aalbue, Danae Moriarty and Menzel, but Grace was unable to find an equalizer and had to settle for the draw.
For the game, Grace outshot Columbia 16-11; Menzel and Aalbue had five shots apiece, nearly equalizing the Cougars’ output.
Libby Stratton notched four saves in goal for Grace, Moriarty shot three times, and Kailey Burrell shot twice.
The Lady Lancers will begin Crossroads League play next week, beginning with a road matchup at No. 4 Marian on Saturday.
The two top 15 programs went toe to toe throughout the match up, but in the end it was Martim Sequeira who scored a highlight reel goal worthy of the occasion to lift the Lancers (5-0-3) to the victory.
The reigning NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, Matteo Conci also played a vital role in the monumental win, making eight saves to blank the Cougars.
The win over Columbia (2-2-2) marks the second top five upset that Grace has pulled off this season, previously beating No. 5 Oklahoma Wesleyan 4-2.
While neither team struck early in the matchup, it was Grace who would push the tempo from the opening whistle. The Lancers had the first five shots of the contest, and held the Cougars without a try on goal until the midpoint of the half.
When Columbia did finally break through Grace’s defense, they were met by Conci who continued his great form with two saves in quick succession.
Both defenses held firm throughout the first half as the teams traded turns prodding the opposition's defense. Neither side would find success however as the game would enter the intermission still scoreless.
The lancers outshot the Cougars 6-4 in the first 45 minutes, and each goalie made four saves. Columbia had three corner opportunities to just one for Grace.
As the second half started, tensions began to rise with every offensive possession.
Nine minutes into the second frame, the Cougars headed a ball towards goal that forced a diving save from Conci.
Just minutes later on the counter attack, Grace narrowly missed breaking the deadlock. Felipe Gruber blasted a shot past the goalkeeper that rocked the crossbar and bounced away from the Lancers possession.
The Lancers once again seemed to grasp control of the game by winning the majority of loose ball battles and maintaining their intense pressure.
The game deciding goal was scored in spectacular fashion by Sequeira with 16:35 left in the game.
Following a corner kick, Daniel Santos Rosa sent a lofted cross into the box that set the stage for the magical moment.
Sequeira, who had positioned himself on the far side of the goal, perfectly executed a bicycle kick that launched the ball into the Cougars net.
Suddenly down by a goal in the late stages, Columbia responded with all the vigor that would be expected of a top five program. The Cougars tried eight shots in the final 12 minutes of action.
With every offensive attack the Cougars comeback hopes were stymied by the Lancers stout defense, who only allowed one of the eight tries to reach goal.
The lone shot that found its way through Grace’s defenders was pushed away by Conci in the waning moments of action as the Lancers completed the upset bid with a 1-0 win.
The Lancers will now enter Crossroads League having yet to taste defeat, despite seven of their eight opponents making appearances in the NAIA Top 25 poll at some point throughout the season.
Grace kicks off conference play on Saturday with a home matchup against Marian.
Grace nearly pulls off comeback at No. 18 Columbia
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Grace’s women’s soccer team concluded its road trip to Missouri with a high-profile matchup at No. 18 Columbia.
The No. 17 Lady Lancers outshot Columbia by six, however it was the Cougars who ended up winning 2-1 on Saturday.
The Cougars were aggressive to begin the match, firing off three shots across the first six minutes.
Grace countered with four shots over the next several minutes, including attempts by Lilli Oberhoff and Marlene Menzel a few minutes apart that were saved.
The Cougars jumped on the scoreboard first midway into the opening half. Columbia sliced a high shot that found the back of the net.
Things went from bad to worse for Grace seven minutes later when Columbia took advantage to score again, doubling its lead.
Grace struggled to find looks at goal in response, taking one shot over the final 10 minutes of the first half.
The second half was a different story altogether. The Lady Lancers outshot the Cougars 10-1 over the final 45 minutes, nearly completing the comeback on the road.
In the 60th minute, a header by Menzel looked sure to score but hit off the goalpost. She would not have to wait long for another chance.
Less than 10 minutes later, after another flurry of Grace chances, Menzel played a dangerous ball that found the back of the net in the 70th minute, setting the stage for a frenetic final 20 minutes.
The Cougars did their best to withstand Grace’s attack; the Lady Lancers fired off shots from JJ Aalbue, Danae Moriarty and Menzel, but Grace was unable to find an equalizer and had to settle for the draw.
For the game, Grace outshot Columbia 16-11; Menzel and Aalbue had five shots apiece, nearly equalizing the Cougars’ output.
Libby Stratton notched four saves in goal for Grace, Moriarty shot three times, and Kailey Burrell shot twice.
The Lady Lancers will begin Crossroads League play next week, beginning with a road matchup at No. 4 Marian on Saturday.
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