SPRING ARBOR – Despite doubling up No. 6 Spring Arbor in shots, Grace College’s women’s soccer team could not find the back of the net in the Crossroads League Tournament championship Saturday. The NAIA 17th-ranked Lady Lancers (13-4-3) gave up a goal on a scrum in the penalty box early in the first half and never struck back, falling 1-0. The first 10 minutes of the match belonged to Grace as the Lady Lancers rattled off four shots with two corner kicks from the onset. Mallory Rondeau fired a shot into the side netting, and Heather Martin took a hard shot from distance. But the Cougars (18-1-1) scored on their first corner kick of the match in the 17th minute. Spring Arbor sent a cross into the penalty box and scored on the ensuing loose ball. The remainder of the first half was evenly played as each team had their fair share of offensive opportunities. The second half was a different story altogether. Grace outshot Spring Arbor 6-0 in pursuit of an equalizing goal, dominating time on the ball and passing its way around the Cougars’ defense. One of Grace’s best chances of the game came 10 minutes into the second half. Kaitlyn Hayes laid off a perfect leading pass to Meredith Hollar, whose line-drive shot forced a diving save. Hollar broke free of a defender a few minutes later from 23 yards out and rifled a hard shot at Spring Arbor’s goalkeeper, and Rondeau also split two defenders at the right edge of the 18-yard box to take a shot attempt. But the Cougars’ defense held firm in the face of Grace’s possession attack, shutting out the Lady Lancers. Grace went scoreless for only the second time this season and first time since Sept. 20. Hollar and Martin took four shots apiece to lead Grace and three of Martin’s shots were on goal. Abby Schue made four saves while surrendering a goal in 90 minutes tending Grace’s net. “The women played really well today,” said Grace College coach Michael Voss. “We settled into a rhythm and ran hard at SAU with possession-attacking futbol. We had a few really good creations that resulted in quality looks at frame. I'm proud of the effort, attitude, unity and fortitude. Had we been fortunate to benefit from a whistle here or there it may have helped. Overall the women put in a quality performance today.”
MEN’S BASKETBALL DAVENPORT, Iowa – Grace College’s men’s basketball team picked up its first signature win of the season with a 57-53 upset of No. 20 Ashford on Saturday. The Lancers (6-1), playing their second ranked team in as many days, suffered a challenging first half on the offensive end, struggling to make just 5 of 21 shots from the floor. But Grace recovered thanks to balanced production and a stingy defense for the four-point win. While Grace’s offense struggled to 24 percent shooting, Grace’s defense was up to the task. Ashford was limited to 19 first-half points but still managed to hold a slight 19-18 lead entering halftime. The Saints made just 32 percent from the floor in the opening half. On the first possession of the second half, Caleb Featherston made a steal and Kyle Fillman sank two free throws to put Grace on top 20-19. Grace did not trail the rest of the way. The Lancers quickly opened up a six-point lead, but the Saints refused to fade. With less than nine minutes remaining, Grace made a 10-2 push to grab a 48-40 lead. Niko Read scored half of Grace’s points in that run as he and Logan Irwin buried back-to-back three-pointers to force a timeout from Ashford. Ashford made a late push in the final minute, capitalizing on Grace’s misses from the foul line to cut the deficit to 56-53 with 10 seconds remaining. Fillman made 1 of 2 at the free throw line on the next possession, and Ashford turned the ball over on the next play to seal Grace’s upset win. Grace’s offense was much more efficient in the second half, hitting 65 percent of its field goals and 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. Irwin netted a team-high 13 points with four assists, and Fillman added 11 points. Dennis Williams’s well-rounded performance included nine points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots, Caleb Featherston added nine points, five rebounds and four assists, and Brandon Vanderhegghen scored eight points off the bench. Grace’s next week will be action-packed. The Lancers will travel to NCAA Div. II University of Indianapolis on Wednesday for an exhibition at 7 p.m. Grace will then host the annual KCCCF Hoops for Hope Tournament at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center in a combined effort with the women’s basketball team. The Lancers will host Grace Bible College on Friday at 8 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Grace College’s women's basketball team lost a high-scoring game to Olivet Nazarene on Saturday, 122-87. The Lady Lancers (5-2) struggled to take care of the basketball as the Tigers controlled the game with their up-tempo, pressing style of play that was made famous by Grinnell College. Turnovers haunted the Lady Lancers throughout the game. The Tigers (3-2), who lead the NAIA in scoring at 116 points per game, controlled the pace of the first half with their frenetic play. Olivet Nazarene forced Grace into 27 turnovers in the first half alone, taking a 53-38 lead at the half. The second half was much of the same story as a 12-0 run allowed the Tigers to cruise away with the comfortable victory. Kelsie Peterson was a bright spot for the Lady Lancers as she led Grace in scoring with 16 points. The freshman went 6 of 14 from the floor and rounded out her performance with five rebounds. The Lady Lancers hit the offensive glass hard as 22 of their points came off second-chance opportunities. Chloe Pridgen dominated the glass by pulling down nine rebounds to go along with 10 points, and Allison Kauffman also netted 10 points of her own. Heather House and Sarah Feasby scored eight points each, and Gabby Bryant added five points and four assists. While Grace forced Olivet Nazarene into 20 turnovers, Grace's 47 turnovers proved too much to overcome. The Lady Lancers shot well from the free throw line as they made 17 of 20 from the charity stripe. Grace got into foul trouble early, however, as the Tigers got into the bonus within the first eight minutes of the contest. Olivet Nazarene made Grace pay as 18 of their points came on free throws. The Lady Lancers' next contest is an exhibition at NCAA Div. I IPFW in Fort Wayne on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Grace will then host the annual KCCCF Hoops for Hope Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
