WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's soccer team suffered an upset in the Crossroads League Tournament on Saturday.

The Lady Lancers (11-6-1) fell 2-1 to Mt. Vernon Nazarene in the quarterfinals at 1st Source Bank Field. Grace lost the game despite outshooting MVNU 13-8 in the match. 

Just one week ago, Grace trounced the Cougars 5-0 in Winona Lake. But Saturday's quarterfinal match was a completely different story.

The first half saw Grace take more shots and have more goal-scoring opportunities. But Grace was unable to capitalize with an early lead.

Alexis Larimore was a constant threat at MVNU's backline. The senior made a number of weaving runs from an attacking position, firing off five shots. Her closest moment was a 1-on-1 opportunity with MVNU's goalkeeper that beat the goalie but whisked wide of the net.

Lea Moessinger also had a headed effort from a set piece that went wide, and Madison Tuma's hard shot was saved.

The Cougars had one truly threatening moment that Grace withstood, and the teams went into halftime scoreless. Grace had an 8-5 edge in shots and 3-1 edge in corner kicks.

The game took a dramatic turn in the first eight minutes of the second half. MVNU stunned Grace with a goal just two minutes into the half.

Grace quickly recovered, tying the score seven minutes later. JJ Aalbue received the ball and cleverly created space for Larimore with a pass. Larimore's low shot found the back of the net, making the score 1-1 after a dramatic opening eight minutes.

The game settled into a midfield battle after the two rapid-fire goals with fewer chances over the next several minutes.

The Cougars capitalized after a restart in play, shocking Grace with a second goal in the 73rd minute. 

Grace did its best to find another equalizer. The best moment unquestionably was when JJ Aalbue earned a penalty kick after being tackled in the penalty box. But the ensuing PK attempt for Grace was off the mark.

The Cougars' defense held firm over the final minutes, preventing another Grace goal and securing the 2-1 victory.

The Lady Lancers finished with a 13-8 advantage in shots and 4-2 edge in corner kicks. The Cougars had three shots on goal in the second half and scored on two of those.

"There are some days where everything is against you. We had to persevere several obstacles in addition to controlling our own game, and we lacked the 'futbol' drive we had seven days ago when we beat this team 5-0," said Grace head coach Michael Voss. "Amidst all that, the women still created several 1v1s as well as a PK. We had great moments that we didn't convert, and we gave up two preventable goals. Positively, the break gives us time to get our whole crew, injured and otherwise, back into form."

The Lady Lancers' postseason is just beginning, however. Grace will still have a strong chance for an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championships in the coming weeks. Grace has the ability to compete in the NCCAA National Championships.