SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – The national spotlight did not prove to be too bright for Grace's women's soccer team to handle. The Lady Lancers beat Oklahoma City 2-1 on Saturday in the NAIA Network Game of the Week.
No. 15 Grace improved to 7-0 on the season, polishing off the Stars (2-2) who were receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25. The Lady Lancers have now beaten four teams who are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA during the nonleague season.
Grace will take a week off before returning to Miller Athletic Complex on Sept. 19 for a high-octane matchup against No. 2 Northwestern Ohio.
In Grace's match on Saturday, all three goals were scored in first half. The Lady Lancers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard against the Stars. Aubrey Feipel gained an advantage on the left side of the field and centered a pass into the center of the penalty box. Mallory Rondeau then coolly slotted in her shot at the 6:21 mark, stunning OCU.
The Stars equalized on a counter-attack, turning a defensive clearance into an unassisted goal from 21 yards away in the 16th minute.
The game winner was struck in the 36th minute. Heather Martin lofted a free kick into a dangerous position close to the Stars' goal, and Carianne Sobey headed in the goal from close range at the 35:16 mark.
In the second half, Grace truly asserted its possession muscles. The Lady Lancers maintained close to 60 percent of the possession and had numerous attacks at OCU's goal, but the Stars denied Grace an insurance goal. Rondeau broke free on a long run, but dragged her shot wide. Kaitlyn Hayes and Maile Grout also had strong looks at OCU's goal to no avail.
The Lady Lancers ended the match with a 15-10 advantage in shots and 4-3 advantage in corner kicks. Sobey and Rondeau took three shots apiece, and Hayes and Grout each took two shots.
Abby Schue won her seventh game of the year as Grace's goalkeeper. The sophomore made four saves in 90 minutes and was defended well by Heather Martin, Meredith Matson, Faith Voehringer and Kristelle Jadoo.
"Today's match was very similar to Thursday for us. We played decently but never really fired on all cylinders. We worked hard, were composed at times and were dangerous, but we never really opened up to full-throttle 'possession attacking futbol,'" said Grace head coach Michael Voss. "I'm impressed at the creation of the four 1v1s, but it's necessary we finish those chances. Overall this was a good trip to take. It challenged us in ways outside of the field, and we grew."
