Grace College’s Cassidy Wasson sends a pass out during the Lady Lancers’ 2-0 win over Mt. Vernon Nazarene Saturday night, its 10th straight victory. (Photo provided by the Grace College Sports Information Department)

WINONA LAKE – Grace College had three teams in action Saturday, as both of its soccer programs kicked it around and women’s golf teed it up.

GRACE WOMEN’S SOCCER 2, MT. VERNON NAZARENE 0

The remarkable streak continued for Grace’s women’s soccer team. The Lady Lancers downed Mt. Vernon Nazarene at home for Grace’s 10th straight victory.

Saturday’s win sets up a first-place showdown next week. Grace and No. 1 Spring Arbor are alone atop the Crossroads League standings with 6-0 records. They meet on Wednesday in Michigan at 7 p.m. with sole possession of first place at stake.

The game on Saturday started as a midfield battle for much of the opening half. Teams struggled to connect in their attacking third.

The first truly threatening chance for either team came 20 minutes into the match. The Cougars (9-4-2, 3-3 CL) were fouled and proceeded to hit the crossbar on a free kick.

Grace responded right away. A strong run from Aubrey Feipel and Joanna Schimmel resulted in a shot by Jenni Phillips, but her attempt was saved.

The Lady Lancers (14-1, 6-0 CL) seemed to seize control of the game in the final 15 minutes of the half. Corinne Villalobos and Liz Van Wormer combined on an attack up the middle, but Van Wormer’s volley went high.

Sacia Hanson tried a left-footed shot that went wide, Schimmel had a hard shot that forced a diving save, and Allison Vroon’s shot in front of goal was blocked.

Grace ended the half ahead 13-4 in shots, including an 8-0 advantage in shots on goal. But the Cougars held on for a 0-0 scoreline at halftime.

Grace finally broke through the Cougars’ defense early in the second half. Vroon beat her defender on the left endline. She alertly picked out Schimmel who slotted in her shot.

The Lady Lancers continued to be the aggressor, peppering MVNU’s goal with shots. Cassidy Wasson nearly scored with a headed effort that missed wide, and Phillips had a low blast in front of goal that was saved.

Grace doubled its lead with 20 minutes to play. Wasson was fouled in the penalty box and cleanly converted her penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.

MVNU’s chances to rally were few and far between. The Cougars were held without a shot over the final 10 minutes en route to the final 2-0 scoreline.

Grace is enjoying its best start in program history at 14-1. The team’s streak of 10 straight wins ties the program record, set in 2009.

For the match, Grace outshot MVNU 23-9. The Lady Lancers had 13 shots on goal compared to five for the Cougars.

Bethany Blackwood saved five shots for her 12th shutout of the season, which leads the NAIA. Defenders Feipel, McKenna Cruz, Anna Kuhl, Clair Snodgrass, Liz Aalbue and Allison Vroon combined to keep MVNU off the scoreboard. Grace has incredibly yet to allow a goal in league play.

GRACE MEN’S SOCCER 4, MT. VERNON NAZARENE 0

The Lancers (10-2-3, 4-0-2 Crossroads League) used a two-goal performance from both Cody Boerema and Ulisses Miranda to blow by MVNU on the road.

Saturday’s match was one of the more physical matchups of the season to date. Overall, 40 fouls were called, and seven cards were issued. The Cougars (6-6-3, 1-3-2 CL) were responsible for 26 fouls and six of the seven cards, including a straight red card.

Boerema was a force to be reckoned with in the first half for Grace. In the 15th minute, he netted the go-ahead goal. A corner kick came to the top of the penalty box, and Boerema ripped a shot into the lower corner of the net.

Eleven minutes later, Boerema had a brace. After the Cougars failed to deal with a defensive clearance, Boerema alertly volleyed in a goal from 30 yards out to score on an untended net.

Grace’s scoring was not done in the half, however. Marcelo Talamas picked out Miranda for a goal at the 29:55 mark, handing Grace a commanding 3-0 lead.

Shortly before halftime, the Cougars were dealt a blow with a straight red card. MVNU was forced to play the remainder of the match 10 versus 11.

Grace held a 15-2 advantage in shots before halftime and a 3-0 lead on the scoreboard.

The Lancers added their final goal 10 minutes into the second half as Talamas and Miranda connected again. Talamas squared a pass to Miranda, who slotted in his shot to the far post.

Grace coasted to victory with its comfortable lead. The Lancers substituted liberally in the match with 23 players for Grace seeing substantial time.

Kurt Hamlin needed only one save in 90 minutes to record his eighth shutout of the season.

The Lancers face one of their toughest matchups of the fall next week. Grace hosts No. 20 Spring Arbor on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a must-see contest. Spring Arbor currently leads Grace in the race for the league crown by 1.5 games.

WOMEN’S GOLF RUNNER-UP AT MVNU INVITE

Grace’s women’s golf team finished second at the Mt. Vernon Nazarene Invitational in an abbreviated tournament.

The cold, wet conditions at Chapel Hill Golf Course slowed play considerably. As a result, the tournament was cut from 36 holes down to 27 due to darkness.

Sydney Abbott was Grace’s top performer. She shot 79 in the first round before adding a 37 in the final nine holes. Her total of 116 was good for fourth place and a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Lauren Keiser (121), Kara Godsey (122) and Kristin Holt (123) finished in a tight pack, and Anna Marshall rounded out Grace’s scoring with an 89-41.

Rachel Harvey and Olivia Shaw both shot 128 to lead Grace’s B team at the MVNU Invitational.

The Lady Lancers’ next tournament also happens to be the biggest in program history. Grace will participate in its first NCCAA National Championship from Oct. 22-24 at Hammock Beach Resort in Florida.