Soccer Team Sets Record, Advances To Conference Final
Soccer Team Sets Record, Advances To Conference Final
Posted
Josh Neuhart-
Soccer Team Sets Record, Advances To Conference FinalWINONA LAKE – The Grace College women’s soccer team won its program-record 15th game of the season Saturday at home and is now on the verge of its first trip to the NAIA National Championships. The Grace College Lady Lancers won 1-0 over the University of Saint Francis in the Crossroads League tournament semifinals Saturday, thanks to a first-half goal from Mallory Rondeau. “Today was a good performance from the Grace women,” Grace women’s soccer coach Michael Voss said. “USF brought a solid effort, We had good possession most of the match and had a handful of glorious opportunities. We would have made it easier on ourselves had we put away a few more chances. In the end, it was a good finish for our program.” Rondeau’s game-winning goal came at the 7:20 mark. Freshman Carianne Sobey served a perfect pass to Rondeau, who buried her shot with precision. Sobey, who already holds the program record for single-season assists, increased her 2012 tally to 15 assists to rank No. 2 in the nation. The teams both had strong looks in the first half as the Lady Lancers held a slight 5-4 advantage in shot attempts. The Lady Lancers should have added a second goal a few minutes into the second half. Both Rondeau and Kaitlan Wiles took shots in rapid succession that clanged off the crossbar from inside the penalty box, but the Cougars’ net remained unscathed. The Cougars (10-9-1) did their best to find an equalizer with six shots fired after halftime, but the Lady Lancers topped their tally with 11 second-half shots. Grace’s 15-3-2 record marks the first time the Lady Lancers have eclipsed 14 wins in a season. Voss also directed the Lady Lancers to 14 wins during the 2011 and 2009 campaigns. Grace’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Carmen Barnhill, recorded its third shutout in four games. Defenders Ryann Casciari, Liz Casey, Heather Martin, Jessica Bickle and Jalisa Thayer helped Grace register their 10th shutout of the season. Holly Bennett and Rondeau led the Lady Lancers with four shots apiece, Wiles recorded three shots, and Darcy Johnston added two shots. The Lady Lancers will play in the CL tournament championship game this Saturday against the winner of Spring Arbor and Taylor. The winner of the tournament will earn an automatic bid into the NAIA National Championships.
