Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Grace takes down No. 16 Embry-Riddle
WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s soccer team proved its No. 16 ranking with a 3-1 victory over No. 19 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).
The Lady Lancers (6-1) were powered by a pair of goals from freshman JJ Aalbue and another strike from Alexis Larimore.
The match could not have started better for the Lady Lancers. Grace quickly asserted itself offensively and put immediate pressure on the Eagles’ goal.
The Lady Lancers advanced on the left side and crossed into the middle of the field. Corinne Villalobos took a shot that was stopped, but Larimore finished off the rebound in the fourth minute of action.
Four minutes later, the lead was doubled. Aalbue made a weaving run into ERAU’s attacking end of the field. She sliced a low shot from the right which beat the goalkeeper into the back of the net at the 7:51 mark.
The rest of the half was dominated by Grace. The Lady Lancers peppered ERAU’s goal with 16 shots, leaving the Eagles (2-2-2) little time on the ball.
Grace went into halftime ahead 2-0 with a 16-6 edge in shots and 2-0 in corners.
The second half was much of the same until lightning strikes in the vicinity caused a 30-minute delay.
A steady rain filled the remaining 30 minutes of game play, but each team had opportunities despite the weather.
Aalbue added another goal in the 81st minute. The freshman turned her opponent in the penalty box and beat the goalkeeper to the far post for a 3-0 lead.
The Eagles were able to find an insurance goal with less than two minutes remaining, but the damage was already done.
Aalbue and Corinne Villalobos each finished with seven shots, and Larimore and Joana Schimmel shot three times apiece.
For the match, Grace held a 27-13 shot advantage and had the only three corner kicks.
Bethany Blackwood made five saves in the 90-minute victory, and she was protected well by Brooke Kohler, Lea Moessinger, Hannah Tkacz and Cassidy Wasson.
The Lady Lancers will play again at home Wednesday against Indiana Tech at 7 p.m. This Saturday, Grace will enjoy an Alumni Game with former Lady Lancer athletes returning to campus.
Lancers remain perfect in conference play
By Grant Cook
WINONA LAKE – Grace’s men’s tennis team picked up its third straight win with a 4-0 weather-shortened sweep over Taylor on Thursday.
The Lancers (7-1, 6-0 Crossroads League) remain tied at the top of the Crossroads League with No. 22 Indiana Wesleyan with three conference games remaining.
Grace took the first point of the afternoon by sweeping all three doubles’ matches. Freshman Ramiro Candia and sophomore Jacob Gray cruised to a 6-1 victory at No. 3 doubles.
Max Rozas teamed up with Fabricio Galvan to take down the Trojan pair 6-2 in the No. 2 doubles’ spot. To complete the doubles’ sweep, the Lancers relied on juniors Pavle Popovic and Milan Savic to beat the Trojans’ top pair 6-3.
After heavy rain forced a decision, the singles’ matches were moved indoor to the Warsaw Racquet Club.
Rozas took his match in straight sets (6-0, 6-4) in the No. 1 singles slot. Popovic defeated his opponent at No. 2 singles, taking both sets which included a hard fought 7-6 second set victory.
In the No. 4 singles spot, Candia won in straight sets (6-0, 6-3) to clinch the shortened match for the Lancers.
The Lancers will remain at Miller Athletic Complex when they host Spring Arbor on Saturday at 1 p.m.
