MARSHALL, Mo. - For the second time this season Grace College’s men’s soccer team upset a top-15 opponent.
On Monday afternoon the Lancers shocked No. 7 Missouri Valley. A late second half goal from Juan Garcia helped Grace secure the upset win.
In the victory Matteo Conci also etched his name in Lancer lore.
With his third clean sheet victory of the season, Conci moved his career total to 21-shutout victories, which is the most in Grace’s record history. Conci passed Dave Hanson (1974-1976) for the honor.
The Lancers are now 3-2 on the season and boast wins over No. 13 Oklahoma Wesleyan and No. 7 Missouri Valley. Both of Grace’s losses are also to top-15 teams.
Grace followed the script from the early season by opening the game with an early chance. Less than three minutes into action, Kyle Holwerda put a shot on goal that forced the Viking keeper to be at top form early.
After the early Grace chance, Missouri Valley carried the pace of play. The Vikings put a pair of shots towards goal, but neither ball bested the Lancers’ defense.
The middle of the half was dry of offensive chances as both teams engaged in a midfield battle.
Grace closed out the half with a flurry of chances. Martim Sequeira sent a shot just wide of the net, and Josh Cruz had his attempt turned away by the Viking keeper, as the half ended at 0-0 tie.
The Vikings held a 5-4 shot advantage in the first half, but only one of their attempts was on goal.
After ending the first half on the attack, Grace kept the pressure up to start the second. Sequeira had a pair of chances, but both times his attempt towards goal was met by the Vikings goalie.
The Lancers continued to force the pace of play in the middle portion of the half.
With 25-minutes still left in the game, Missouri Valley had a player disqualified after receiving a pair of yellow cards. It did not take long after gaining the man-advantage for Grace to break the deadlock.
The Lancers picked the Vikings’ defense apart with tactical passing and finished with a goal after a pair of perfect crossing passes.
Frederik Christman crossed a ball to Sequeira. Sequeira then headed the ball back across the box to Garci who scored on the near empty net.
Now trailing by a goal, the Vikings tried to muster a response. Missouri Valley had two shots on goal, but each time Conci was there to match the effort.
With just minutes left, Blake Burns nearly doubled Grace’s lead but his shot was cleared off the goal-line.
Grace staved off one final set piece attempt from the Vikings to secure the 1-0 upset victory.
Grace ended the game with a 13-8 shot advantage, and put seven more shots on goal. The vikings had Four corner kicks compared to two for Grace.
Sequeira led all players with five shots and Conci made four saves in the win.
The Lancers now return home for three-straight games at 1st Source Bank Field.
The home stand starts on Saturday at 7 p.m. as Grace plays host to No. 19 Indiana Tech.