FORT WAYNE – A first-half goal from Meredith Hollar lifted Grace College’s women’s soccer team to a 1-0 victory at St. Francis on Tuesday. The Lady Lancers (6-2-2, 2-0 Crossroads League) have yet to surrender a goal in league play thanks to a shutout performance against the Cougars (6-4-1, 0-2 CL). Hollar came on as a substitute late in the opening period with the game scoreless. A few minutes later, she delivered the decisive kick in the match. After trapping a ball in the midfield, Meghan Wiles wheeled around a defender and slotted a pass to Hollar past a defender. Hollar beat the goalkeeper with a shot to the near post in the 35th minutue for the game’s only goal. Aside from Hollar’s goal, one of the strongest chances for either team in the first half came in the 14th minute. Mallory Rondeau played a leading pass to Jordan Hairgrove, and Hairgrove’s hard shot was saved from close range. Grace had a 4-3 advantage in shots and 3-0 advantage in corner kicks in the opening half. The second half produced few clear-cut chances as Grace’s defense held firm. Late in the contest, Grace had a number of good looks, including a 24 yarder by Rondeau that forced a diving save. But the Lady Lancers had to settle for one goal in the match. Abby Schue earned the shutout victory in goal with four saves in 90 minutes. Heather Martin, Faith Voehringer, Meredith Matson and Erica Manchess manned the defensive line for Grace that recorded its second straight shutout to kickoff the Crossroads League season. The Lady Lancers continue league play on Saturday with a trip to Huntington at 4 p.m. Grace’s next home match is a high-profile match against No. 12-ranked Spring Arbor on Oct. 8.
