Hollar Paces Grace To Soccer Victory
MARION, Ind. – Two goals and an assist from Meredith Hollar sparked Grace’s women’s soccer team to a 3-1 win over Georgetown on Friday.
The match, played at Indiana Wesleyan’s field, saw the Lady Lancers (2-1-2) dominate with a 24-3 advantage in shot attempts.
“The women managed the heat well today. It was not our best start, but they showed initiative to take over,” said Grace head coach Michael Voss. “This caps off a long stretch for us, and we continue to improve in our targeted areas. I’m pleased with the effort of the women today.”
Grace took the first four shots of the match, including a near-goal from Meghan Wiles that deflected off the crossbar. It was the Tigers (0-2), however, who got on the scoreboard first. Georgetown scored on their first shot attempt of the match in the 14th minute.
Hollar, a former star at Warsaw Community High School, found the equalizer midway through the first half. Although Grace outshot Georgetown 12-2 in the opening period, the Lady Lancers had to settle for a 1-1 scoreline entering halftime.
Grace did not have to wait long for the lead, however. Less than five minutes into the second half, Mallory Rondeau dribbled through the middle of the field and passed over to Hollar for the forward’s second goal of the match.
The Lady Lancers continued their assault on the Tigers’ net, taking 12 more shots in the second half. Rondeau nearly added a goal of her own seven minutes later with a shot off the goalpost. Emma Neahusan also drilled a crossbar in pursuit of the team’s insurance goal.
Hollar provided the assist on Grace’s third goal. After Hollar beat a defender on the right side of the field, she squared a pass in front of goal to Jordan Hairgrove for a close-range finish in the 85th minute.
Overall Hollar had six shots and five shots on goal. Rondeau, who starred at Wawasee High School, finished with four attempts, Neahusan shot three times, and Wiles, Hairgrove and Holly Bennett each had two shots.
Freshman Abby Schue earned the win in goal, making two saves in 90 minutes. Schue is also a former WCHS standout.
Next week the Lady Lancers will travel to Kansas for a pair of nonleague games. Grace will play MidAmerica Nazarene on Sept. 12 and Baker on Sept. 13.