WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's women's soccer team collected a much-needed victory on Saturday, downing St. Francis 1-0 at 1st Source Bank Field.
The Lady Lancers (5-6-3, 2-3 Crossroads League) sit just a point out of fourth place in the league standings with four matches remaining in the regular season.
Grace dominated the match in terms of possession and chances created. Overall, Grace outshot USF 32-5 and had all nine corner kicks in the contest.
"The women played good futbol tonight. We've been hard at work relentlessly getting after the finer points of our game, and that work came out tonight," said Grace head coach Michael Voss. "I'm most proud that they have found their love and joy, and that is coming out in how they go about futbol. This team is special. We are now seeing that come out. There's more, and that is exciting."
In the first half, Grace threatened early and often with 16 shots. St. Francis was held to three shots in the half with only one truly dangerous chance which Abby Schue saved.
Sacia Hanson and Autumn Raulerson kept pressure on the Cougars' backline early in the half, and Emma Neahusan eventually scored the game's only goal.
After a USF foul, Grace sent a free kick into the penalty box. After the Cougars initially won the kick, Neahusan stole a pass, weaved into the box and sliced in her shot from close range in the 26th minute.
Neahusan nearly scored again minutes later. Shelby Fort found Neahusan on the right side of the box, but her hard shot went wide.
Grace's substitutes continued the offensive assault to end the half as shots from Riley Koch and Flavia Faria went to no avail.
The pressure continued in the second half as Grace took 16 more shots. Corinne Villalobos had two early shots sail wide, and defender Hannah Tkacz proved dangerous when advancing with a pair of shots that nearly scored.
Van Wormer was a primary initiator of Grace's offense in the second half, trying four shots in the last 20 minutes. But USF's defense kept Grace from doubling its advantage.
The Cougars were rarely able to counterattack in the second half and defended for nearly 45 minutes. USF's last shot in the contest came in the 76th minute, which Schue saved.
Schue had four saves in the 90-minute shutout. She was protected well by the defensive line of Aubrey Feipel, Tkacz, Sabina Meyers and Kristen Bellinger.
Raulerson's five shots equaled USF's team total, and Van Wormer and Villalobos each tried four shots. Neahusan and Fort shot three times. Altogether, 14 players for Grace attempted a shot in the match.
The Lady Lancers remain home on Wednesday, hosting Huntington at 7 p.m.
