ROSSFORD, Ohio – Grace's men's soccer team gave No. 8 Northwestern Ohio a major fright on Wednesday.

The only thing that separated the squads was a last-minute penalty kick, which the Racers used to defeat Grace 2-1 during Wednesday's spring opener.

The Lancers (9-5-2) were playing their first match since claiming the 2020 NCCAA national championship on Nov. 21. Grace has scheduled an aggressive slate of nonconference opponents this spring in pursuit of an NAIA tournament invitation.

Grace started the first five minutes of the match in control. The Lancers moved the ball effectively and kept the Racers off the ball.

UNOH sparked to life over the next 10 minutes, however, with three shots and two corner kicks.

Grace settled soon after and maintained consistent time on the ball. But the Racers refused to surrender a goal-scoring opportunity to the Lancers. Grace was unable to find the final pass needed in its attacking end.

The first shot of the match for Grace came in the 36th minute. Ze Maria Goncalves was fouled, and the free kick attempt was blocked.

Almost immediately, UNOH won a free kick of its own deep in Grace's end. The shot snuck around Grace's wall and dipped inside the right goalpost for the game's first goal.

On the ensuing kickoff, Grace threatened. Ulisses Miranda, Flavio Cruz and Marcelo Talamas teamed up for a quick attack, but the final header from Talamas was saved.

Grace's best chance of the half came in the final five minutes. Miranda made a dangerous advance and picked out Goncalves in the penalty box. Goncalves's shot was pushed wide with a diving save by the goalkeeper.

UNOH entered halftime holding a 1-0 lead on the scoreboard.

Grace was not daunted facing a deficit to a top-10 team. Less than two minutes into the second half, Grace leveled the score.

Felipe Gruber made a clever run into the penalty box and was fouled. Gruber confidently stepped up for the penalty kick and pounded his shot into the back of the net.

The Racers were intent on challenging Grace's net early in the second half. The Racers tried a handful of shots outside the box, but Joe Bowles was up to the task with a pair of strong saves.

With 20 minutes remaining, Grace had a chance to pull ahead. Miranda played a leading pass across the box to Goncalves, but Goncalves's one-time volley rolled wide of goal.

The final 10 minutes saw frenetic back-and-forth action as each side pressed hard for a winner.

The winning moment was found by the Racers. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the match, the Racers were fouled in the penalty box during a desperate advance at Grace's net.

UNOH finished the PK, and Grace was forced to settle for a 2-1 defeat.

The Racers owned a 16-8 edge in shot attempts, although only six of UNOH's shots were on goal.

Wednesday's match was played on turf in a dome at the Total Sports Complex in Rossford, Ohio.

Next up, Grace will take on another ranked opponent. The Lancers will travel to Michigan to play No. 14 Madonna on Tuesday.