Rondeau Scores Game Winner Against Indiana Wesleyan
Rondeau Scores Game Winner Against Indiana Wesleyan
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Josh Neuhart-
Rondeau Scores Game Winner Against Indiana WesleyanWINONA LAKE — Grace College freshman Mallory Rondeau sliced a shot past Indiana Wesleyan’s goalkeeper with five seconds remaining in the game, helping the Grace women’s soccer team top the 25th-ranked Wildcats 3-2 in thrilling fashion Saturday. The Grace College Lady Lancers (10-2-1, 3-1 Crossroads League) outshot Indiana Wesleyan 19-7, including an impressive 13-0 advantage in the second half. Rondeau, a 2012 Wawasee High School graduate, bookended the scoring with the game’s first goal when she stole a dribble from a Wildcat defender in the sixth minute and slotted her shot inside the far post. The Wildcats were swift in response with a volley in the penalty box two minutes later. Warsaw Community High School graduate Emily Hickerson came off the bench midway through the opening period to spark Grace’s second tally. Hickerson juked past two defenders and crossed a ball to Holly Bennett for a point-blank finish at the 22:11 mark. Grace missed a strong opportunity to open up a larger lead when Bennett’s penalty kick attempt was saved. The Wildcats provided the second equalizer at the 34th minute when Indiana Wesleyan finished a loose ball in the box after a free kick. The Lady Lancers made strong second-half adjustments and controlled the final 45 minutes of play. Lakeland Christian Academy graduate Kristin Yocum almost scored Grace’s third goal on an indirect free kick for the Lady Lancers when she received a low pass at the top of the penalty box, but her shot on goal was saved off the crossbar. Rondeau also had a shot on goal when she broke free for a one-on-one situation, but the Wildcats’ goalkeeper made a clutch save. Kaitlan Wiles jumpstarted Grace’s goal-scoring play with a run on the left side of the field with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. Wiles served a cross to Rondeau inside the box, and Rondeau held off a defender and curled her shot into the goal as she fell to the turf. “IWU played a very tough match today. They were a quality team,” Grace coach Michael Voss said. “Today was a very calculated and intelligent performance from the Grace women. They were creative and technical and demonstrated good composure. The first half we battled to get our rhythm at times, but the second half we took that to a very dangerous level. This was a solid performance for Grace today.” Rondeau led all players with five shots, and Bennett and Carianne Sobey tallied four apiece. Abigail Burns earned the victory in goal for Grace with five saves and two goals scored against her. The Lady Lancers will take on one of their toughest opponents of the season Tuesday when they travel to No. 6 Spring Arbor at 7 p.m.
