Box Score
MARION, Ind. – Grace's match with Indiana Wesleyan was unique on a number of levels.
Both of the game's goals were scored within 60 seconds of each other. The game also had a 45-minute fog delay in the second half. Finally, the head official called the match with one minute remaining in regulation due to the playing conditions.
When all the dust and fog had settled, the Lancers and the Wildcats settled for a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.
The Lancers (6-2-1; 1-0-1 Crossroads League) were the offensive aggressors in the opening period. Grace recorded seven shots and four corner kicks in the first 45 minutes but was unable to produce a goal.
The Wildcats (6-1-3; 1-0-1 CL), on the other hand, managed just three shots – none of which were on goal.
Trent Smith got the action started early in the second half. His deep shot bounced off the crossbar on a strike from well outside the penalty box.
Play was halted halfway into the second half as fog took over the Wildcats' field, making the match impossible to continue for close to an hour.
Shortly after the second half was resumed, the Wildcats struck first with a goal off a corner kick in the 70th minute.
Grace found the equalizer almost immediately at the 70:17 mark. Shane Barthuly scored the goal to knot the game at 1-1.
Both teams fired shots in the final frantic minutes, but the official discontinued the match with 1:07 remaining in regulation on account of the foggy conditions.
The Lancers outshot the Wildcats 13-11 and held a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. Gift Sibukome led Grace's team with four shots and two shots on goal.
Barthuly took three shots, and Ben Cahill and Kyle Hamlin each tallied two shots.
The Lancers return to Miller Field on Saturday for a 2 p.m. match with Goshen.