Grace Tennis Team Tops Conference Foe Spring Arbor
Posted
Staff Report-
SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Grace College’s men’s tennis team took down defending Crossroads League champion Spring Arbor University 5-4 on the road in a crucial league match Tuesday. Michael Humphrey, Jack Wang and Aaron Blevins each claimed two points apiece to give the Lancers (2-0; 2-0 CL) a boost against their league rivals. “This was a huge character win for the team. Michael Humphrey and Jack Wang were huge for us today, earning us three points by playing hard and smart,” said Grace head coach Larry Schuh. “We are looking forward to continuing the strong play that we’ve been showing to this point. This will give us a big boost of confidence going into our match with IWU.” Grace started the match by taking two of the three doubles matches. Aaron Blevins and Daniel Sanchez held on for an 8-6 victory at No. 2 doubles, and Humphrey and Wang eased away to an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles. The Cougars (1-1; 1-1 CL) clawed back, however, to win the top three singles positions. But Aaron Blevins, Humphrey and Wang sealed the team victory with a trio of two-set wins. Blevins won 6-2, 7-5 at No. 4, Humphrey won 6-2, 6-4 at No. 5 and Wang finished with a 7-6, 6-1 win at No. 6. The Lancers have a chance to move into sole possession of first place in the Crossroads League when they play co-leader Indiana Wesleyan Saturday at Miller Field.
MEN’S SOCCER WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s men’s soccer team had its biggest offensive outburst in two years with a 7-0 win over Andrews University Tuesday. The Lancers (2-0) used two goals apiece from Kyle Hamlin and Austin Altimus and a pair of assists from Shane Barthuly to make short work of the Cardinals (1-1). Grace held dominant possession throughout the match and tallied 34 shots overall. Altimus struck first with a close-range finish from a Barthuly cross in the ninth minute. The Lancers didn’t score again until shortly before halftime, when freshman Kyle Hamlin scored his first collegiate goal with an outstanding individual effort, slicing past several Cardinal defenders to lace his shot into the right side of the net. The Lancers’ offense exploded in the second half, netting five goals on 18 shot attempts. Gift Sibukome started the scoring in the 52nd minute with a penalty kick, and Fiema finished a cross from Barthuly in the 64th minute. Hamlin diced his way into the penalty box for his second goal in the 70th minute, and Ben Draper scored his first collegiate goal off an assist from Nikola Blazic in the 82nd minute. Altimus concluded the scoring in the 86th minute from an assist by freshman Dylan Andersen – Andersen’s first point in a college uniform. Overall, Grace held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks and a 34-8 advantage in shots fired. Senior goalkeeper Collin Cone posted the shutout with three saves in 90 minutes, including a one-on-one save late in the first half on a rare breakaway attempt by the Cardinals. Grace's seven goals tied its highest single-game tally since their 7-0 win over Robert Morris (Ill.) on Sept. 16, 2010. The Lancers will be in action again at Miller Field Saturday with a 4 p.m. match with Moody Bible Institute.
