WINONA LAKE - Grace's men's soccer team saw its league tournament run come to an end in dramatic fashion on Saturday night. The Lancers held a narrow 1-0 in the waning moments of the semifinal match before Spring Arbor converted a pair of goals in the final five minutes to claim the 2-1 victory.
Each team had an opportunity in the opening minutes of the game, but would settle into a chess match as the sides worked to find the right combinations.
The majority of the first half saw little offense generated by either squad until the Lancers created a pair of chances at the midpoint of the opening half.
Daniel Santos Rosa had a shot that went wide of goal. Moments later the Lancers were awarded a corner kick, but Spring Arbor expertly defended Grace's try as the game remained level at zero.
The Cougars had their lone shot on goal of the first half in the waning seconds, but Matteo Conci smothered the chance as the game entered the intermission scoreless.
Each team tried three shots, while Matteo Conci made the lone save of the opening 45 minutes.
SAU was the aggressor early in the second frame, but were unable to capitalize on their possessions.
The game would finally find its first goal in the 62nd minute after a precision passing play from the Lancers.
After forcing a turnover in the attacking third, Tyler Casado and Maxime Bregeon quickly moved the ball forward to Santos Rosa who sliced a shot through the feet of defender and past goalie to push the Lancers ahead 1-0.
Behind by a goal, the Cougars' attack came alive as they searched for an equalizer.
Grace had little possession over the final 25 minutes as absorbed Spring Arbor's pressure.
As the clock ticked under five minutes the Cougars again upped the urgency and began to get numbers forward. SAU earned three consecutive corner kicks, resulting in the game tying goal on the third one. The first touch was headed to the ground landing at the feet of the Cougars who sent it just past Conci to equalize with 3:54 remaining in the game.
Grace put its last attempt towards goal when Bregeon headed a long ball from Gavin Morgan into the arms of the goalkeeper.
A minute later, the Cougars nearly scored the go-ahead goal with 1:15 left on the clock, but a kick-save from Conci in traffic kept the score level.
On the ensuing corner kick, the Lancers had momentarily dealt with the set piece, but a headed cross put the ball back into the scrum. A back-healed shot was blocked by Conci, but the scramble for the loose ball resulted in another goal for the visitors with 30 seconds remaining.
With so little time remaining, Grace was unable to get the ball forward before the clock hit zero.
The Lancers await the NAIA selection show to see if their season will be extended with an at-large bid to the NAIA Tournament.