Grace Soccer: Lancers Tie Lawrence Tech
MISHAWAKA – Over 100 minutes of soccer could not separate Grace’s men’s soccer team and Lawrence Tech on Thursday.
The Lancers and Blue Devils settled for a 0-0 draw at a neutral-site tournament game, hosted by Bethel.
The teams combined for 31 shots, including 15 on frame.
“I thought our guys played a good game tonight. We tried a few new things, and several guys saw time who haven’t played much this season. We had some great chances to score, but LTU has a stingy defense and a good keeper,” said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. “LTU was well-coached and intelligent. While we aren’t satisfied with a tie, we thought it was a good game to allow us to grow more.”
The Blue Devils (4-1-1) had the first three shots of the match, all in a three-minute span.
But Grace had the first and potentially best look. Togo Narusawa unleashed a shot in the 20th minute that beat Lawrence Tech’s goalkeeper but bounced off the crossbar. The rebounded shot from Marcelo Talamas was saved.
Grace had two more shots in the half, including a shot on goal from Narusawa which was saved.
Midway into the second half, Grace built up a dangerous opportunity. Santiago Maya and Cody Boerema both had shots saved in rapid succession with a corner kick added in.
The final eight minutes of regulation were frantic as both sides sought to find a late winner. Each side took two shots in the last minutes but to no avail.
The match went to overtime, and Grace had the only three attempts of the first overtime session.
The Blue Devils had the better chances in the second overtime, holding Grace without a shot while taking five of their own.
The match ended in a scoreless tie. Kurt Hamlin secured the shutout for Grace, making five saves in 110 minutes.
Narusawa and Damon Binkley each had three shots, and Talamas shot twice.
“Brayton Taylor’s athleticism made a difference in this game, and Zeb Johansson’s leadership was high quality,” Hotchkin added. “It was good to see Cody Boerema back on the field. Once he is back to 100 percent, we will have one more very dangerous player in the mix.”
The Lancers end the week with a stiff test on Saturday. Grace will play Northwestern (Iowa), a team who is receiving votes in the NAIA, in Mishawaka at 12 p.m.