WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's men's soccer team locked up its spot in the 2021 NCCAA National Championship on Saturday.

The Lancers defeated Roberts Wesleyan 4-1 thanks to three second-half goals, winning the NCCAA Midwest Region championship to grab an automatic bid to the national tournament.

NCCAA Nationals will be held in Kissimmee, Fla., beginning Nov. 29. Grace will be aiming to defend its national crown under head coach Arron Patrick after winning the tournament in 2020.

Ze Maria Goncalves and Martim Cardoso were heavily involved. Goncalves scored twice and added an assist, and Cardoso tallied two goals of his own.

Grace only needed 45 seconds in the match to take its first shot on goal. Cardoso muscled off a defender to clear space, but his low shot was saved.

The Lancers continued to earn chances over the first 10 minutes. Cardoso had a close-range volley in the penalty box that was saved, and Flavio Cruz tried an 18-yard free kick that was also saved.

Not long after, Grace punctured RWC's net. Cardoso and Tyler Brueckman combined for a quick attack through the middle of the field, and Cardoso placed his 20-yard shot beyond the goalkeeper in the 12th minute.

Grace found the back of the net again 10 minutes later off the foot of Brueckman, but the goal was disallowed due to a prior foul.

Roberts Wesleyan did not take its first shot of the match until the 30th minute as Grace's possession took over the game.

The Lancers' chances continued throughout the half. Goncalves had an 18-yard free kick that whisked wide of the net, and Jonny Mora's hard volley in the box was saved.

Grace went into halftime holding the 1-0 lead. The Lancers outshot RWC 6-1 in the half. Five of Grace's shots were on goal.

Two minutes into the second half, Grace threatened again. Connor Pugh tried a lofted shot that was cleared off the goal line. 

Goncalves and Frederik Christmann also tried shots soon afterward that were denied. Despite Grace's multitude of chances, the door was still open for the RedHawks.

Roberts Wesleyan made Grace pay by scoring the equalizer with 32 minutes remaining in regulation.

The Lancers refused to be rattled and systematically built a patient attack in response. Before long, Grace had put the match entirely out of reach.

Cardoso nearly had Grace on top 10 minutes later, but his sliding effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Grace's pressure eventually resulted in the go-ahead goal. Goncalves intercepted a pass outside the penalty box. After sensing an opportunity, he curled a long shot that beat the goalkeeper and snuck under the crossbar in the 71st minute.

Ten minutes later, Grace had scored two more goals. In the 81st minute, TJ White freed up Christmann for a long run on the right side of the field. Christmann's cross connected with Goncalves, who headed his effort cleanly into the net.

The play was replicated a minute later. Christmann and Goncalves combined for the build-up, and the cross was finished off by Cardoso in the box for the final 4-1 scoreline.

Grace finished the game with a 19-8 advantage in shot attempts; 10 of those tries were on target for Grace. The Lancers also had the only four corner kicks during the outing.

Christmann finished with two assists, and Matteo Conci had four saves in goal.