Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s golf team had a record-setting weekend at the IWU Invitational.
Grace placed fourth out of 12 teams in a highly competitive field, featuring four teams who appeared in the NAIA poll. The Lady Lancers’ tournament total of 616 set a new program record for 36 holes, smashing Grace’s previous record by 13 strokes.
Individually, Anna Marshall claimed medalist honors. The senior shot 73 after the first day, three strokes out of the lead. But after another round of 73 on Saturday, Marshall had pulled herself into a tie atop the leaderboard.
In a playoff with Indiana Tech’s Carissa Graft, Marshall birdied the first hole to earn the individual trophy.
Marshall finished the weekend with a score of 146 for another program record. Her 146 beat Grace’s previous best total for 36 holes by four strokes.
Marshall’s two rounds of 73 tied for the second-lowest rounds of golf in program history.
As a team, Grace finished one shot out of second place; the Lady Lancers tied for fourth overall with No. 9 Northwestern Ohio. St. Francis (receiving votes in NAIA), Indiana Wesleyan (receiving votes) and No. 20 Indiana Tech were the only squads to beat Grace over the weekend.
Sydney Abbott was second for the Lady Lancers; she carded 75-79 to place 15th out of 75 golfers.
The remaining three scorers for Grace were all newcomers. Carolyn Pacocha bettered her score by 10 strokes with an 85-75. Lucy Young finished one stroke behind her at 79-82, and Rebecca Hawes carded an 80-85.
Kristin Holt (80-78) and Rachel Harvey (80-83) participated as individuals in the event.
“This tournament was a milestone event for us. We demonstrated we can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the area,” said Grace head coach Denny Duncan. “Anna was sensational with easily the best 36-hole performance in our history. Sydney was her steady self, and our freshmen are providing incredible depth. Kristin Holt also was outstanding while playing as an individual.”
The Lady Lancers are back in action on Sept. 7-8 at the Defiance Invitational.
No. 15 Women’s Soccer Improves To 4-0
WINONA LAKE – A pair of first-half goals propelled No. 15 Grace women’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Graceland on Saturday.
The Lady Lancers (4-0) continued their undefeated start to the year thanks to goals from Joana Schimmel and Alexis Larimore.
Grace outshot the Yellowjackets (2-1) by a 17-7 count, and Bethany Blackwood played well in goal for Grace to earn her third shutout of the season.
Grace attacked early and often against Graceland. In the third minute, JJ Aalbue was fouled. She took the free kick which forced a diving save. In the ninth minute, Schimmel tried a shot that went wide after a strong build-up of possession.
Baylei Peters created the first goal of the match. The sophomore forward took on four defenders by herself and slipped a pass ahead to Schimmel, and Schimmel’s clean finish beat the goalkeeper at the 18:02 mark.
With eight minutes left in the half, Aalbue found space for a low blast that brought about another diving save.
Late in the half, Grace doubled its lead. Hannah Tkacz sent in a long free kick which connected with Alexis Larimore. Larimore alertly beat the goalkeeper and slotted her shot into the back of the net in the 40th minute.
The Lady Lancers continued to press for an insurance goal after halftime but had to be content with two goals.
Taylor Fort and Aalbue both had threatening shots in the second half, and Grace had a 9-3 shot advantage overall after halftime.
Aalbue tried six shots with four on goal. Cassidy Wasson and Schimmel each shot three times.
Blackwood made five saves in her 90-minute shutout. She was protected well by McKenna Cruz, Lea Moessinger, Hannah Tkacz and Brooke Kohler.
The Lady Lancers are on the road next week, playing at No. 3 Southeastern (Fla.) and Warner.
Women’s Tennis Downs Goshen
GOSHEN – Grace’s women’s tennis team picked up its second sweep in as many conference games.
The Lady Lancers sunk Goshen 7-0 on Saturday, improving to 2-0 in the Crossroads League season.
Grace grabbed an advantage early by claiming the doubles’ point. Emily Mast and Dayana Ortega swept 6-0 at the top doubles’ court.
Gretchen Adams and Morgan Mast claimed a 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles, and Jayna Armstrong and Carrie Copeland battled to a 6-4 win at No. 2 doubles.
The Lady Lancers won all six singles’ courts in straight sets. Copeland at No. 2 singles and Ortega at No. 3 only dropped one set, and Morgan won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 5.
Emily cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 1 singles, Armstrong eased away 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4 singles, and Shelby Bankson produced a 6-3, 6-4 scoreline at No. 6.
Next up, the Lady Lancers will play their first home match of the season. Grace will host Huntington on Wednesday.
Lancers Handle Leafs
GOSHEN – Grace’s men’s tennis team remained undefeated on the season with a 6-1 win at Goshen on Saturday.
The Lancers (3-0, 2-0 Crossroads League) were in a battle at nearly every court, but Grace wrestled its way to a victory.
Grace managed to grab the doubles’ point to start the match after claiming two of the three courts. Ramiro Candia and Fabricio Galvan won at No. 3 doubles, and Pavle Popovic and Milan Savic won 6-2 at No. 1 doubles.
Galvan won in straight sets at No. 2 singles with a nervy scoreline of 7-6 (5), 7-5, and Popovic coasted to a 6-3, 6-3 victory at No. 3 singles. Mauricio Corty also won in straight sets at No. 6 singles 7-5, 6-4.
Max Rozas and Savic needed to come from behind to earn their singles’ victories. Rozas won 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1 singles, and Savic rallied 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-3 at No. 5 singles.
The Lancers return home on Wednesday for a match against Huntington.
