WINONA LAKE – Although Grace College’s women’s soccer team outshot Marygrove 25-8, it was one play that made all the difference Saturday. Senior Elizabeth Heuss received a perfect through pass from junior Jocelyn Evans and made a clinical finish in the box in the 13th minute, and that tally proved to be all the Lady Lancers (2-0) would need in their 1-0 win. “Overall I’m very pleased with our possession and style of play on the field,” said head coach Michael Voss. “It would have been nice to finish more of our looks, but it’s a strong early-season performance.” Grace seemed to control ball possession throughout the game and put a number of shots on frame. The Lady Lancers continued to seek for their second goal, especially in the second half, but Marygrove’s defense proved difficult to penetrate. Freshman Kelsey Christner had a shot from outside the 18-yard line bounce off the goalpost midway through the first half, which was the closest Grace got again before the half. In the second half Grace poured on the offense again, tallying 16 shots after halftime compared to four for the Mustangs (1-1). Kristin Yocum came off the bench to provide an offensive presence with four shots, but none of Grace’s looks could make it past the diving stops of Marygrove’s keeper Kristen Jolly. Jackie Seal, Christner, Evans, and Kaitlan Wiles each took three shots in the match, and Wiles and Evans both had three shots on goal. The Lady Lancers had the advantage in corner kicks 7-3 and had five corners in the second half alone. Sophomore goalkeeper Carmen Barnhill earned the shutout with three saves in the match. Grace returns to action Tuesday as it travels to Aquinas College for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
