WINONA LAKE - Needing to collect a victory, Grace’s women’s soccer team delivered on the final day of the regular season.
The Lancers (12-3-2, 4-3-2 Crossroads League) sank Bethel 3-0 on Wednesday. The win jumps Grace into fourth place in the Crossroads League standings.
As a result, Grace will host Taylor in one week in the quarterfinals of the Cross-roads League Tournament. The kickoff time for Wednesday’s quarterfinal has yet to be determined.
Grace has now posted a shutout in three straight matches and four of the team’s past five outings.
The Lancers used three different goal scorers during Wednesday’s victory over the Pilots (6-5-6, 0-4-5 CL).
Grace scored almost immediately into Wednesday’s match. After an early corner kick and a shot attempt were denied, Grace scored from a clever combination play.
Audrey Abel calmly dribbled through Bethel’s midfield during an advance into the penalty box. Abel then slid a pass into Cassidy Felger, who pivoted and placed her shot beyond the outstretched arms of Bethel’s goalkeeper before six minutes had expired.
The first half was dominated by Grace’s trademarked possession style. The Lancers passed the ball well against the Pilots’ midfield.
Grace largely limited Bethel’s goal-scoring moments with an organized effort, and Grace took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Lancers doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Jasmin Slump passed ahead to Audrey Abel. Abel again provided the key pass, placing a ball in a dangerous position.
Abby Hodkin finished off the pass, thumping in Grace’s second goal to produce a critical insurance tally. Hodkin now has a team-leading eight goals this season.
Grace nearly added another goal when Zoe Mueller sent a leading pass towards Cassidy Felger. Felger’s poke beat the goalkeeper, but her shot bounced harmlessly off the goal post.
As the second half continued, Grace’s grip on the game seemed to tighten. The Lancers kept the Pilots pinned back with their fluid offense, and Grace’s pressure produced a third goal.
Zoe Mueller lofted a deep pass into the heart of the penalty box. In the ensuing loose ball, Tori Twombly collected the ball and pushed her shot into the empty net in the 77th minute.
The Pilots mustered a few corner kicks down the stretch, but Grace had no trouble muting the guests.
Ivy Cline produced five saves to record the shutout as Grace’s goalie, and she was protected by Jasmin Slump, Lilli Oberhoff, Jaylin Young, Mueller and Liz Maciejewski.
Abel handed out two assists, and Grace finished the match with a 13-8 shot advantage.