WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's soccer team used a team effort to defeat Goshen on Saturday.
Three different players scored for the NAIA No. 15 Lady Lancers during a 3-1 victory at 1st Source Bank Field.
Grace wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Sam Vondersaar stole the ball in Goshen's end of the field and immediately passed to Madison Tuma.
With one touch, Tuma lofted her shot above the goalkeeper for an early 1-0 lead in the eighth minute.
A few minutes later, Grace almost scored again. After a well-worked attack, Alexis Larimore centered a pass to Lea Moessinger in the penalty box. But Moessinger's shot drilled off the goalpost.
Grace owned the ball control in the first half. The Lady Lancers were patient in their attack, picking and choosing their spots to break Goshen's defensive front.
Larimore, who proved to be dangerous throughout the half on the sidelines, created Grace's second goal late in the half.
After beating several Maple Leafs on her advance to the penalty box, she eventually picked out Moessinger who beat the goalkeeper from close range.
The Lady Lancers claimed a 2-0 lead at halftime. Grace outshot Goshen 7-2 in the half with four of Grace's shots being on target.
The second half started much slower. The teams did not take a shot until 15 minutes had expired. Moessinger's low shot in the penalty box was saved.
Grace found its third goal at the 67:02 mark on a brilliant strike from Larimore. The senior forward curled a left-footed shot into the back of the net from outside the box, giving Grace a comfortable 3-0 margin.
The Maple Leafs scored a consolation goal late in regulation when a lofted cross caused confusion, resulting in an own goal.
Grace finished the game with 12 shots and six on target. The Maple Leafs managed just two shots on target.
Libby Stratton registered her second straight victory as Grace's goalkeeper, making one save in 90 minutes.
"The women found creative ways to score goals today. We were able to thoughtfully progress our possession," said Grace head coach Michael Voss. "Goshen played tough and compact, forcing us to break them down. I'm proud of the work rate we had and the positive mindset."
The Lady Lancers are on the road next week, playing at Bethel on Wednesday and at Taylor on Saturday.
