WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's soccer team was unable to find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss to Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday.

The Lady Lancers (3-6-1, 2-2 Crossroads League) had more shots than the visiting Wildcats (7-3-2, 2-1-1 CL), but IWU made the most of its golden opportunity in the second half.

The first half was heavy in possession but light on chances. Grace held a slight 4-3 shot advantage. Meredith Hollar tried two early shots, and Kristen Bellinger and Allison Vroon also had one shot on goal apiece.

The match entered halftime scoreless as the two squads sought to find a rhythm.

Five minutes into the second half, the game changed for good. A defensive miscue in the backline gifted IWU with a counterattack, and the Wildcats made Grace pay with a goal in the 51st minute.

Grace showed resolve to fight back and tried a few shots in the ensuing minutes. Grace appeared to have the game-tying goal when Hollar finished off a long through ball around the goalkeeper, but the official judged that she was offsides.

Midway through the half, Liz Van Wormer worked free for two shots that were unsuccessful.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Grace had likely its best chance when Maile Grout earned Grace a corner kick. Corinne Villalobos sent in the corner, and the ball bounced near the top of the penalty box. Marina Tolczyk unleashed a low volley on the bounce, but her dangerous shot was saved.

Grace pressed forward in the closing minutes in an attempt to equalize the score, but the Lady Lancers came up empty. Grace's final shot of the match came off a cross from Hannah Miller, but a low, one-timed shot from Sabina Meyers whisked wide of the goal frame.

"Today was a missed opportunity. We struggled to be technically clean and failed to overcome adversity. I suppose you could debate the goal called back, but we should strictly hold ourselves to a higher standard of futbol," said Grace coach Michael Voss. "There were valiant moments but not nearly enough. We are close. We have the tools to play great futbol, so we will get back to work."

Grace finished with 11 shots and five on goal to go along with four corner kicks. Hollar had three shots, and Vroon, Bellinger and Van Wormer each tried two.

The Lady Lancers will hit the road on Saturday, traveling to St. Francis for a 7 p.m. kickoff.