Grace men’s soccer has been chosen to compete in the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championships for the third time in program history. Photo provided

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s men’s soccer team is headed to the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championships for the third time in program history.

Grace earned an at-large bid to the national tournament on Monday under head coach Arron Patrick.

The Lancers will begin NAIA play this week with the Opening Round. The 40-team field has been divided into four-team Opening Round pods, played at 10 campus locations.

Grace will start Opening Round play on Thursday in Columbia, Mo., against No. 16 Northwestern Ohio (UNOH). The winner of Thursday’s game will play on Saturday against either No. 3 Columbia or Sterling.

The Lancers and UNOH squared off just two months ago. The Racers escaped with a 2-1 victory thanks to a penalty kick in the final 30 seconds of the match.

Grace is looking for its first win at the NAIA tournament in team history as the Lancers dropped the first game in 2017 and 1982.

The NAIA Opening Round pod winners will secure a spot in the tournament’s final site of Columbia County, Ga. The remainder of the tournament will be played in Georgia from May 4-10 at Blanchard Woods Park.

The Lancers are one of three teams from the Crossroads League to reach NAIA Nationals (Spring Arbor, Bethel).

The NAIA field consists of 13 at-large selections and 27 automatic berths. The at-large bids were chosen by the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Selection Committee.