GRACE'S PURSUIT OF A TITLE:
2016 NCCAA SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE DESTINATION: Kissimmee, FL
THE DATE: Nov. 28 - Dec. 3
THE TEAMS: Grace's men's and women's soccer teams
THE DUTY: Bring back an NCCAA national championship to Winona Lake

Lancer Nation will migrate down to Florida after Thanksgiving with one goal in mind: winning a national championship. Grace's men's and women's soccer teams both qualified for the 2016 NCCAA National Championships in dramatic fashion.

Click the links below or scroll down to follow Grace's quest for a title:

MEN:   How they got there: Against all odds
          Breakdown of the opponents
      Match Day 1: Emmanuel | RECAP
      Match Day 2: Campbellsville | RECAP


WOMEN: How they qualified: 3 is the magic number
      Breakdown of the opponents
      Match Day 1: John Wesley | RECAP
      Match Day 2: Colorado Christian | RECAP

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LANCERS: HOW THEY GOT THERE, AGAINST ALL ODDS

Grace's men's soccer team was not expected to qualify for NCCAA Nationals. After injuries derailed the regular season, the team's prospects of making a national tournament were slim.

But the Lancers flipped the script in one week, writing a Cinderella story in the NCCAA Midwest Region. Their task? Win three matches in eight days.

In the quarterfinals, Grace found new life with a 7-1 win over Lancaster Bible.

The semifinals and finals were held on Friday/Saturday at Indiana Wesleyan. The semifinals saw Damon Binkley as the hero. He scored both goals in a narrow 2-1 defeat of Houghton.

Awaiting Grace in the finals was league rival Indiana Wesleyan. One year ago, Grace lost a heartbreaker at IWU in the championship game of the Crossroads League Tournament. This time, however, it was Grace's turn to break hearts. The Lancers used goals from Nikola Djordjevic and Binkley to knock off the Wildcats 2-0, sending Grace to an improbable berth at NCCAA Nationals.

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THE OPPOSITION: NCCAA NATIONALS

The men earned the No. 6 seed in the nine-team tournament. Grace was placed in Pool A alongside No. 1 seed Campbellsville and No. 9 Southern Wesleyan.

The Lancers will face Emmanuel on Tuesday at 1 p.m. The Lions, an NCAA Div. II school, was declared the South Region winner after Southern Wesleyan was found to be in violation of eligibility rules. Emmanuel enters the tournament with a record of 11-7-1, including a 10-2-1 mark since Aug. 27.

Campbellsville, who is the top overall seed, will play Grace on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The Tigers qualified for the NAIA Opening Round before being upset by Grand View. Prior to losing to Grand View, Campbellsville had not been beaten in their past 36 games (31-0-5).

The winner of the three pools will head to the semifinal round. The best runner-up squad, determined by results in pool play, will receive the fourth spot in the semifinals.

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MATCH DAY 1: Emmanuel

When: Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m.
Who: #6 Grace vs #9 Emmanuel
Live Coverage: Video (fee)
Result: Emmanuel won 3-0
Recap: Lancers Stumble in Opener at NCCAA Nationals

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MATCH DAY 2: Campbellsville

When: Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 1 p.m.
Who: #6 Grace vs #1 Campbellsville
Live Coverage: Video (fee)
Result: Campbellsville won 3-0
Recap: Lancers' Season Ends at NCCAA Nationals

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LADY LANCERS: HOW THEY QUALIFIED, 3 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

The path for Grace's women's soccer team to qualify for NCCAA Nationals hinged on the number "3." The win the Midwest Region, Grace needed to win three games in less than a week and defeat nemesis Indiana Wesleyan in their third matchup of the year.

On Tuesday, Grace blew past Oakland City 5-0 in the quarterfinals thanks to two goals from Liz Van Wormer.

In the semifinals on Friday, Meredith Hollar scored twice in a 2-1 victory over Houghton.

The only obstacle between Grace and a trip to NCCAA Nationals was Indiana Wesleyan. The Lady Lancers had already lost to IWU twice, both times by the score of 1-0 and both times at 1st Source Bank Field.

This time, Grace needed to beat IWU on the road. And in sub-freezing temperatures.

Despite holding a dominant 18-7 advantage in shots in the regional finals, Grace had to settle for a 0-0 scoreline after regulation and two overtimes on Saturday. The number "3" made its reappearance again in the penalty shootout as Grace won 3-2 in its third matchup of the season with IWU.

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THE OPPOSITION: NCCAA NATIONALS

The women earned the No. 1 overall seed in the nine-team tournament. It marks the second time Grace was awarded the No. 1 seed at NCCAA Nationals (2014). Grace's pool includes No. 6 Colorado Christian and No. 9 John Wesley.

The Lady Lancers will kick off the tournament on Monday at 1 p.m. against No. 9 John Wesley. The Lady Lions are the South Region champions, hailing from North Carolina. John Wesley is enjoying its first season as a collegiate program.

Colorado Christian, an NCAA Div. II school, awaits Grace on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The Cougars finished as the runners-up in the Central Region. Colorado Christian' 9-8-3 record is the program's best in the last 15 years. Mariah Fredericks leads the Cougars with nine goals.

The winner of the three pools will head to the semifinal round. The best runner-up squad, determined by results in pool play, will receive the fourth spot in the semifinals. In Grace's last trip to NCCAA Nationals, the Lady Lancers lost in the national championship game in a penalty shootout.

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MATCH DAY 1: John Wesley

When: Monday, Nov. 28 at 1 p.m.
Who: #1 Grace vs #9 John Wesley
Live Coverage: Video (fee)
Result: Grace won 11-0
Recap: Records Fall in Grace's 11-0 Win to Start NCCAA Nationals

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MATCH DAY 2: Colorado Christian

When: Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 1 p.m.
Who: #1 Grace vs #6 Colorado Christian
Live Coverage: Video (fee)
Result: Colorado Christian won 1-0
Recap: Late PK Hands Cougars Win