WINONA LAKE, Ind. – A 1-0 lead slipped away for Grace's men's soccer team on a rainy Wednesday evening game at 1st Source Bank Field.
Huntington scored two quick second-half goals to escape with a 2-1 win over the Lancers (7-5-2, 2-4 Crossroads League).
The game started slowly as each side tried to figure out the slick, rain-soaked turf. The Foresters (6-7-1, 4-2 CL) had more dangerous chances to start the game.
Grace did not take its first shot until nearly 20 minutes into the game. Fortunately for the Lancers, they scored soon after.
Damon Binkley was fouled at the top of the penalty box. Grace then set loose Cody Boerema for the 21-yard attempt, and his curled effort beat Huntington's goalkeeper at the 21:28 mark.
Grace nearly doubled up its advantage a few minutes later, combining on a nifty combination play. But Jon Christensen's cross just missed a wide open Santiago Maya at the far post.
In the final minute, Grace almost scored again. Boerema sent in a cross to the far post, and Mitchell Zeilenga's header beat the goalkeeper but could not find the back of the net.
Through one half, Huntington trailed 1-0 despite leading 6-3 on shot attempts.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, the Foresters snatched the lead back. Huntington capitalized in the air, scoring twice off headers in the penalty box to stun the Lancers by taking a 2-1 lead.
Grace's pressure increased as a result of being down, but the Lancers' chances were hard to find.
Huntington outshot Grace 7-5 in the second half, limiting the hosts' chances. The Lancers' best opportunities came from set pieces, but Huntington's defense did well to block Grace's better looks.
"We had a rough game tonight, and I thought we were totally separated. We had the lead, and then we got lazy in communication. Giving up two goals in a minute shows a lack of concentration," said Grace head coach Matt Hotchkin. "We haven't shown the ability to consistently push through adversity while staying together. We have a lot of room to grow, and tomorrow we will have to get back at it."
Daniel Smith, Boerema and Colin Cape each took two shots to lead Grace's offense. Huntington tallied a 13-8 advantage in shots for the match.
The Lancers will travel up to Michigan for a match at Spring Arbor on Saturday.
