WINONA LAKE – In a dramatic match that featured two red cards and a penalty kick, Grace’s Gift Sibukome scored the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Indiana Tech 2-1 on Tuesday. The Lancers (5-2) ended their nonleague portion of the schedule with a gutsy win over the Warriors (4-3), who have received votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll for much of the season. Grace was strong in possession in the first half, resulting in a goal midway into the opening period. Steven Fiema received a pass on a Lancer set piece in the 30th minute. He dribbled around a defender on the left side of the field and crossed a ball into the penalty box where Ben Cahill rocketed in an eight-yard header. The Lancers recorded 11 shots in the first half, including six shots on goal. The Warriors picked up their pace in the second half and tallied six shots. Their only shot on goal after halftime, however, was a penalty kick in the 73rd minute. A shot at the top of the penalty box deflected off a Lancer’s hand in the box. Indiana Tech was awarded a penalty kick, which Aultain Gaye buried into the left corner of the net. The match shifted dramatically two minutes later when an Indiana Tech midfielder was sent off the field with a red card. Grace did not have an advantage for long, however, as the Lancers were cut down to 10 men with a red card of their own at the 77:30 mark. The Lancers nearly won the game at the end of regulation with four shots inside the penalty box in the last five minutes. Cahill and Justin Festa each nearly scored game winners with headed balls late in the match. The overtime period did not last long as the Lancers produced the golden goal less than four minutes into play. Austin Altimus beat his defender along the right endline and calmly picked out Sibukome in front of the goal. Sibukome blasted home the game winner from close range as the Lancers’ bench charged onto the field in celebration. “This was an important win for us. We have struggled offensively in our last two games, and today we were able to get some good looks at the goal,” said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. “I wasn’t totally pleased with our second half as I thought we failed to adapt and dictate play. Having said that, we overcame an unfortunate PK call to win. We are getting better, and the guys know we can continue to improve.” Overall, Grace outshot Indiana Tech 17-15 including an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. Each team had three corner kicks. The Lancers will kick off the Crossroads League schedule on Saturday when they welcome Huntington University for a 2 p.m. match.
MEN’S TENNIS WINONA LAKE – The Grace men’s tennis team dismantled Bethel College on Tuesday, dropping just 13 games in a 9-0 sweep of the Pilots. The Lancers (4-1; 4-1 Crossroads League) won 24 of the 27 games in doubles competition and 72 of the 82 singles games against the Pilots (1-7; 1-4 CL). Michael Blevins and Nikola Todorovic won 8-3 at the top doubles spot, and Aaron Blevins and Daniel Sanchez won 8-0 at No. 2 doubles. Josh Beguin and freshman Ethan Grove took an 8-0 victory at No. 3 doubles for Grace. Sanchez earned a clean 6-0, 6-0 sweep at No. 1 singles, and Michael Humphrey (No. 5) and Jack Wang (No. 6) were not far off with identical 6-0, 6-1 scorelines. Aaron Blevins won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 singles, and Michael Blevins won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2. Todorovic completed Grace’s sweep with a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles. “This was a sound win for us. The boys did a good job of staying focused and getting the job done,” said Grace head coach Larry Schuh. “This is a good confidence boost going into our next match, so we’re looking to keep our momentum going to keep us at the top of the standings.” The Lancers continue league action with a home match on Saturday against Goshen College at 11 a.m.
WEEKLY AWARDS WINONA LAKE – The Crossroads League awarded Carmen Barnhill and Mallory Rondeau as their players of the week on Monday. Barnhill (Lexington, Ohio) was named the Defensive Player of the Week for her work as the Lady Lancers’ goalkeeper, and Rondeau (Winona Lake, Ind.) earned Offensive Player of the Week honors. Senior goalkeeper Barnhill has been a major reason Grace currently ranks No. 1 in the NAIA with six shutouts. Barnhill helped the Lady Lancers to two more shutouts last week on consecutive nights. She saved three shots in a 90-minute shutout of Aquinas (Mich.) on Friday, and then played for two-thirds of Grace's shutout win over Missouri Baptist on Saturday. Barnhill recorded the only two saves Grace needed to make against Missouri Baptist. Freshman forward Rondeau's stellar week allowed the Lady Lancers to conclude their nonleague season with a 7-1-1 record. For the week, Rondeau tallied 3 goals and an assist to have a hand in over half of Grace's goals for the week. She recorded a goal and an assist in Grace's 3-0 win over Aquinas and followed that up with two goals in a 4-0 victory over Missouri Baptist. The Lady Lancers' two wins came on consecutive nights at a neutral field.
