Grace College freshman JJ Aalbue was named the NCCAA Player of the Week. InkFreeNews file photo

Press Release

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s men’s soccer team had two players pick up national awards on Monday, as did two of the players from the Grace women’s soccer program.

Joe Bowles was the NCCAA National Defender of the Week, and Ulisses Miranda was the NCCAA Offensive Player of the Week. Both players starred during Grace’s NCCAA championship run last week.

Miranda was the NCCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He scored a goal in all four of Grace’s NCCAA games, finishing the week with five goals and three assists.

Bowles was named to the NCCAA All-Tournament Team along with Miranda and Ze Maria Goncalves. He posted back-to-back shutouts in the NCCAA semifinals (vs Campbellsville) and championship (vs Bethel), earning a spot in Grace history.

The Lancers won their first national championship in team history, beating rival Bethel 4-0 on Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.

Grace will play more matches in the spring. The complete slate of contests will be announced later this winter.

Bethany Blackwood was the National Defender of the Week, while JJ Aalbue was the National Offensive Player of the Week.

Both players, along with Alexis Larimore, were named to the NCCAA All-Tournament Team. Grace made a memorable run to the NCCAA championship game, ultimately falling 2-1 in double overtime to Dallas Baptist (NCAA Div. II).

Blackwood made 18 saves in goal for Grace’s team. She posted back-to-back shutouts in pool play to send Grace to the championship. In the title game, Blackwood registered 11 saves in an impressive performance.

Aalbue had a goal or an assist in all three of Grace’s games, helping the Lady Lancers to a national runner-up finish. She had a goal against Warner, two assists against Erskine and an assist against Dallas Baptist.

The Lady Lancers finished the fall season with a 10-4-1 record. Grace’s season will continue in the spring with the schedule to be announced at a later date.