GOSHEN, Ind. - Despite tallying a season-high 29 shots, Grace's women's soccer team was unable to score on Saturday in a scoreless tie at Goshen.
The Lady Lancers (5-6-4, 4-2-3 Crossroads League) had to settle for a 0-0 draw after two overtimes, despite holding a dominant 29-4 advantage in shots in the match.
Grace had at least triple the shot attempts of Goshen in all four periods and hit the goalpost numerous times. Grace also had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks, but the Maple Leafs (6-9-3, 2-5-2 CL) escaped with the scoreless draw.
The tie secured Grace's fourth place finish in the league standings. Grace will host Indiana Wesleyan next Saturday at 1st Source Bank Field in the CL Tournament Quarterfinals.
"We've been dealt this day several times this season; the women do the work and play the right way, but we don't get the result. I don't think this was our best outing in the attacking third, but we were good enough to win the match and score a few goals," said Grace head coach Michael Voss. "It's difficult to see so many shots go off the woodwork, but our focus must be to stay positive. We are playing good futbol and growing. There is so much hope and promise in this group."
Grace came out firing in the first half. Within the first four minutes, the Lady Lancers already had three shots and two corner kicks, including two attempts from Aubrey Feipel.
Kristen Bellinger was an offensive catalyst for Grace before halftime, taking four of the team's 12 shots in the period. Grace outshot Goshen 12-1 before halftime.
In the second half, Grace's attempts were varied. Seven different players for Grace tried a shot, including two attempts from Joana Schimmel.
The first overtime period crammed in six shots for Grace in 10 minutes. In the span of 74 seconds, Grace shot three times and nearly scored twice. Meredith Hollar hit the goalpost with a shot in the 99th minute, and Liz Van Wormer clanged a shot off the crossbar less than a minute later.
In the final overtime period, Goshen was unable to produce a shot. Grace, on the other hand, took three shots and two in the final minute. Corinne Villalobos's shot was blocked, and Maile Grout's effort with nine seconds left was saved.
The match ended in a frustrating draw for Grace. Defensively, the Lady Lancers held Goshen to four shots, none of which were on goal. Goalkeeper Abby Schue earned the 110-minute shutout in goal without having to make a save.
Bellinger had six shots, which was more than Goshen's entire team, and Hollar tried four shots. Schimmel, Villalobos, Van Wormer and Feipel each had three shots apiece.
Game time for Saturday's quarterfinal match with IWU will be released early next week. Check back at GCLancers.com for more updates.
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