Grace Rips Three Second-Half Goals
WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s women’s soccer team picked up its second shutout victory of the season on Tuesday, downing Mid-America Christian 3-0 at the Miller Athletic Complex.
The Lady Lancers (2-0) used goals from Meredith Hollar, Maile Grout and Heather Martin to defeat the Evangels (0-1).
The Lady Lancers dominated play and possession in the opening half, producing a dominant 13-0 advantage in shots before halftime.
The Evangels’ high offside trap gave Grace fits in the half, resulting in five offside calls against the hosts.
Ten minutes into the match, Grace had its first golden opportunity. Meredith Hollar burst through a swarm of defenders on the right side, but her shot was saved with a diving effort. The ensuing corner kick produced a backheel shot attempt from Meredith Matson, but her shot was saved from close range.
In the 28th minute, Carianne Sobey split two defenders on the right side and lofted a high 22-yard shot that glanced off the crossbar. Minutes later, a well-worked corner kick resulted in a Rondeau shot that was saved off the goal line by the Evangels.
In the last 20 seconds, Shelby Fort got free on the right side, but her low shot whisked wide of goal. The half ended 0-0 despite Grace’s 13-0 advantage in shots.
It did not take long for Grace to break onto the scoreboard in the second half. Hollar capitalized on a defensive miscue by the Evangels to gain possession inside the penalty box. She juked inside past a defender and unleashed a vicious shot to the far post, which deflected in off the goalframe.
The Lady Lancers continued their onslaught on MACU’s goal, producing 16 more shots in the second half. Maile Grout doubled Grace’s lead in the 76th minute. She pounced on a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard line and sliced in a left-footed shot.
Heather Martin added Grace’s third goal of the match in the 84th minute. She weaved her way toward the top of the penalty box and rifled in her goal from 19 yards.
Overall for the match, the Lady Lancers outshot MACU 32-2. Grace also had five corner kicks compared to zero for the Evangels.
Abby Schue recorded her second shutout in as many matches this year. Defenders Heather Martin, Faith Voehringer, Meredith Matson, Erica Manchess, Clair Snodgrass and Kristelle Jadoo held the Evangels without a shot on goal.
Grace also used 22 players in the contest with 13 recording at least one shot. Rondeau and Hollar led Grace with six shots apiece, and Grout and Sobey took four shots each.
The Lady Lancers play again on Saturday at the Miller Athletic Complex against No. 11 The Master’s (Calif.). The match kicks off at 7 p.m.