WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's men's soccer team won its fourth straight one-goal contest, defeating Bethel 3-2 on Saturday night.

The Lancers remain in first place in the Crossroads League with the victory, needing two wins next week to secure its first league title since 1992.

"We did not defend well in the first half. We gave them too much space, and they were dangerous in that space. I thought the guys played much better in the second half. They were more connected on offense and on defense," said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. "Damon [Binkley] was fast all night. Jon Christensen played strong, and Daniel Smith was very craft in the second half. The team wanted that win."

Damon Binkley was a central figure in the rivalry game in the first half. After a balanced start to the game, Grace struck first. Binkley made a weaving run through Bethel's backline and laid off a pass to Kyle Hamlin in the penalty box. Hamlin's shot was saved, but Nikola Djordjevic slid in to score on the rebound.

Bethel responded, scoring on a 20-yard shot in the 22nd minute.

The Lancers (11-4, 6-1 CL) took their second lead of the game off the foot of Binkley. The freshman took on a defender on the right sideline. He faked a cut inside, dribbled hard toward the endline and beat the Pilots' goalkeeper with a hard, slicing shot. Binkley thought he had scored again off a counterattack, but he was ruled offside.

The Pilots (8-6-1, 3-3-1 CL) found an answer again, converting on a cross into the box at the 31st minute to tie the score 2-2.

Binkley just missed out on the go-ahead goal late in the period. He stole an attempted clearance by Bethel's goalkeeper but couldn't direct his shot inside the goal frame, and the score remained 2-2 at the half.

The game-winning goal came 10 minutes into the second half. Binkley sent in a cross from the right endline, and Kyle Hamlin volleyed in the game winner on his birthday at the 55:11 mark.

Both teams had strong looks to score again over the final 30 minutes, but the score would remain 3-2 in Grace's favor at the final horn. Goalkeeper Robbie Barnhill made eight saves in the match, including a few key ones in the second half, to earn the win for Grace.

Hamlin and Binkley took three shots apiece, and Daniel Smith fired two.

"We still have areas in which we need to improve. These guys work hard in practice every day, and we will be back at it on Monday to prepare for the next game," Hotchkin said. "Thanks everybody for coming out to Miller Field to support the guys on a cold night!"

The Lancers' final week of the regular season includes a trip to Marian on Wednesday night and a home match against Taylor on Oct. 24.