KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The season for Grace's men's soccer team came to an end on Friday in the NCCAA national semifinals.
The Lancers' comeback fell short, losing 2-1 to Campbellsville.
Grace was playing shorthanded without its two starting central defenders as well as leading goalscorer Martim Cardoso. Despite that fact, the Lancers put together a strong semifinal performance.
The Lancers outshot Campbellsville 18-9 in the game, but two first-half goals by the Tigers proved too difficult to overcome.
The first 15 minutes were a midfield battle. Neither team could produce a sustained buildup as the sides tried to figure each other out.
Grace had the edge in possession in the first half, but there was not a clear scoring chance for the first 23 minutes.
The first chance fell to the Tigers, who made it count. Grace lost the ball in the backfield, and CU capitalized with a fast goal in the 24th minute.
A similar story unfolded with nine minutes to go in the first half. CU won the ball deep in Grace's end, and the Lancers paid by surrendering a second goal against the run of play.
A pair of headers by Ze Maria Goncalves late in the half were Grace's best chances of the opening 45 minutes.
Grace trailed 2-0 at halftime despite a 9-6 advantage in shots. Grace also had the only corner kick of the half.
The Lancers responded well out of the halftime break, applying pressure immediately on CU's goal.
After a lengthy buildup, Goncalves turned and drilled a shot off the goalpost. A minute later, Goncalves had a close-range header that was saved.
Two minutes after that, Jules Peycelon attempted a long-range shot that glanced off the crossbar.
Grace continued to build attacks, testing CU's defense often after halftime.
With 19 minutes on the clock, another strong attack resulted in a shot by Daniel Santos Rosa that was saved.
With 17:13 remaining, Grace was rewarded with a goal. Jonny Mora weaved his way into a crossing position; his cross connected with Santos Rosa, who slammed his shot into the back of the net.
With eight minutes to play, Grace had its best chance at an equalizer. Connor Pugh made a direct run, received a lofted pass, and fired a volley under pressure. But his shot was parried out of bounds for a corner kick.
The Lancers ran out of time in pursuit of the equalizer as the Tigers' defense withstood Grace's comeback.
Goncalves led all players with five shots, and Felipe Gruber and Santos Rosa tried three shots apiece.
At the end of the game, TJ White was honored with a spot on the NCCAA All-Tournament Team as he concluded his sterling Lancer career.
