Alexis Larimore and Grace women’s soccer have clinched a spot in the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship tournament. Photo provided

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – For the third straight season, Grace’s women’s soccer team is headed to the NAIA National Championships.

The Lady Lancers secured an at-large bid to NAIA Nationals on Monday. The 40-team tournament begins this week with the NAIA Opening Round. This week’s games will be played at 10 regional locations.

Grace was placed in an Opening Round pod in Pulaski, Tenn. The Lady Lancers will square off with Benedictine (Kan.) on Thursday at 6 p.m. (Eastern time). The winner of that match will play either the host Martin Methodist (Tenn.) or Madonna (Mich.).

The Opening Round winners will meet up in Foley, Ala., for the remainder of the national tournament from April 27-May 3.

Grace, the No. 14-ranked team in the NAIA, is meeting a familiar foe in the opening game. The Lady Lancers upset Benedictine last year in the NAIA Opening Round 1-0 thanks to an overtime goal from JJ Aalbue.

The Lady Lancers have reached the NAIA tournament four times since 2015 under head coach Michael Voss. Grace is 3-2 in NAIA tournament matches during that span.