FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Grace's women's soccer team continued its strong start to the 2021 campaign with a 2-1 win at St. Francis on Saturday.

The Lady Lancers (6-3-1, 1-0-1 Crossroads League) controlled the match, dominating with a 19-2 advantage in shot attempts. The Cougars (2-6-1, 0-2 CL) scored with their only shot on goal of the entire match.

Grace immediately pinned USF into a defensive formation with its possession to start the match. USF registered its only shot of the half in the 40th minute.

The Lady Lancers had two shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes. Madison Tuma nearly opened the scoring 20 minutes into the contest when her shot off a free kick was punched just above the goalkeeper.

The game's first goal occurred in the 22nd minute. Tuma found Sam Vondersaar running free on the right side of the field. Vondersaar crossed the ball in front of USF's goal, and Lea Moessinger volleyed in her shot on the first touch.

Tuma almost found Grace's second goal late in the half, but her left-footed, curling effort clanged off the crossbar.

Despite 12 shot attempts in the half, Grace was unable to score again. The Lady Lancers led USF 1-0 at halftime.

Grace found its needed insurance goal in the 77th minute. The Lady Lancers advanced the ball on the right sideline and centered a pass to Moessinger, who alertly back-heeled the ball to Tuma. Tuma set up a shot for Helena Vieira Rijo, and she delivered with a curling goal past the Cougars' goalkeeper.

The marker was the first collegiate goal for Vieira Rijo.

The Cougars only shot once in the entire second half and remarkably found the back of the net in the 82nd minute.

USF was unable to generate another shot attempt as Grace continued to hold control of the match.

The Cougars finished with 2 shots, 1 shot on goal and 0 corner kicks. Conversely, Grace had 17 shots, 7 shots on goal and 4 corner kicks.

Moessinger led Grace's offense with 5 shots, 1 goal and 1 assist, and Tuma had four shots and two assists.

"The women completed the game plan today. They stayed composed and collected and only were squirrelly the one time, which unfortunately conceded the goal," said Grace head coach Michael Voss. "This conference is tough; we know each other well, and matches like today are common. USF played tough and did well. We were able to welcome two more players back in short minutes, and one scored so that is progress. We will continue to gain experience and will very soon have the whole squad back."

The Lady Lancers are on the road on Saturday for a high-profile meeting. Grace will play at No. 4 Spring Arbor for a 7 p.m. showdown.