Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - The Grace College men's and women's soccer teams had a chance to surprise St. Francis Wednesday at Miller Field.
The Lancer men's soccer team came into Wednesday's match with three straight losses and a record of 0-2 in the Mid-Central Conference. St. Francis, despite being just 3-6 overall, was 2-0 in the conference and tied for first.
The Lancer women entered the game Wednesday 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference. St. Francis was 7-2 and 2-0 and ranked No. 24 in NAIA. The Cougars have also won or tied for the conference championship in each of the past two seasons.
Neither team could quite get the job done as the St. Francis men scored twice in just 20 seconds to defeat Grace 2-1, and the St. Francis women scored the first three goals of the game to win 3-1.
In the men's game, Grace had numerous scoring chances early on but couldn't find the goal. The Lancers were, however, aggressively attacking the Cougar defense. But with five minutes to play in the first half, St. Francis took over.
The Cougars' Nate Trost scored on a header with 4:46 to play in the first half to put St. Francis ahead 1-0. Before the Lancer defense had a chance to set up, the Cougars had driven down the field again. A St. Francis player was pulled down in the goal box, and Mike Fiekes scored on a penalty kick just 20 seconds after the first goal to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage.
Grace had some quick-striking action of its own as Nate West gave the Lancers new life just 36 seconds into the second half. He scored on assists from Dan Ropte and Jake Bury to cut the deficit to one goal.
The Lancers couldn't score again, though, and St. Francis held on for the 2-1 win.
In the women's game, the Lancers had to contend with three-time All-American Theresa Brough. She entered the game with 19 goals in St. Francis' first nine games.
Grace suffocated her early, but she finally broke free with 7:39 to play and scored on a high shot over the outstretched fingers of Lancer goalie Hannah Loss.
The first 15 minutes of the second half proved to be the downfall for the Lancers as St. Francis scored twice in that time span to go ahead 3-0.
Over the final 30 minutes of play, the Lancers were more aggressive in attacking the Cougars. Patty Muldoon scored Grace's lone goal on an assist from Tonya Christl with 29:07 to play.
The Grace men (2-6-1, 0-3 MCC) will host Trinity Christian at 2 p.m. Saturday, while the Grace women (7-2, 2-1 MCC) will play at Taylor at 1 p.m. Saturday in a pivotal Mid-Central Conference match.
MEN: ST. FRANCIS 2, GRACE 1
St. Francis 2 0 - 2
Grace 0 1 - 1
Scoring - 1. St. Francis, Nate Trost, 40:14; 2. St. Francis, Mike Fiekes (PK), 40:34; 3. Grace, Nate West (Dan Ropte, Jake Bury assist), 45:36
WOMEN: ST. FRANCIS 3, GRACE 1
St. Francis 1 2 - 3
Grace 0 1 -Ê1
Scoring - 1. St. Francis, Theresa Brough, 37:21, 2. St. Francis, Juliann Korb, 52:43; 3. St. Francis, Amber Harmeyer, 57:27; 4. Grace, Patty Muldoon (Tonya Christl assist), 60:53
