Lancer Ladies Blank Bethel
WINONA LAKE – The Grace College women’s soccer team picked up its 10th win of the season with a 4-0 handling of Bethel on Saturday.
The NAIA 22nd-ranked Lady Lancers (10-3-2, 6-1 Crossroads League) scored their ninth goal of the week and seventh shutout of the season after beating Goshen 5-0 on Tuesday.
Mallory Rondeau led Grace with a goal and an assist, and Grace held a dominant 23-9 advantage in shots for the match.
Despite 10 shots in the opening half, Grace only scored once before halftime. Carianne Sobey sent a long pass over the top of Bethel’s defense, leading Rondeau into a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Rondeau then slotted her goal under pressure inside the near post at the 23:34 mark.
Six minutes into the second half, Grace doubled its lead. Rondeau crossed a ball into the penalty box, and Kelsey Christner pounced on the loose ball and notched her first goal of the season at the 51:11 mark.
Meredith Hollar sparked the Lady Lancers’ third goal eight minutes later. She sped away from two defenders on the right side of the field and placed a perfect cross along the ground to Mimi Lozano for the point-blank finish.
The scoring was completed in the 83rd minute. Rondeau sent Sabina Meyers past Bethel’s offside trap, and the freshman netted her first collegiate goal around the charging goalkeeper and off the post for the final 4-0 scoreline.
Rondeau had six shots to lead Grace, and Hollar added five more. Abby Schue picked up the shutout victory with seven saves in 90 minutes. The defending line of Heather Martin, Meredith Matson, Faith Voehringer, Erica Manchess and Marina Tolczyk limited the Pilots to few clear chances.
The Lady Lancers have two matches remaining in the regular season. Grace will play at Marian on Wednesday night before their regular-season finale at Miller Field on Oct. 25 against Taylor. Grace’s game with Taylor will be “Senior Night” to honor the graduating class of Christner, Holly Bennett and Kaitlan Wiles. After Grace’s game with Taylor, there will be a fireworks show over the soccer stadium at Miller Field.