KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Just one more game remains in the national title defense for Grace's women's soccer team.

The Lady Lancers were victorious 6-1 over Trinity Christian in the semifinals of the NCCAA National Championships on Friday.

It was a repeat of last year's tournament where Grace also topped the Trolls in the semifinal round.

Grace will take on Oakland City on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the 2022 NCCAA national championship game. The Lady Lancers are aiming for back-to-back titles after winning the championship last year for the first time in team history.

Marlene Menzel earned the spotlight on Friday, collecting a hat trick to power Grace's attack. Lilli Oberhoff also had a goal and an assist.

Almost immediately after kickoff, Grace asserted control. The Lady Lancers pushed deep into Trinity's penalty box twice in the first two minutes.

Grace earned a few shots from outside the penalty box, including attempts from JJ Aalbue and Menzel.

The opening goal came in the 16th minute. Lea Moessinger found Oberhoff with a pass. Oberhoff took care of the rest, making two quick cuts to slice through the middle of the Trolls' defense. She then beat the goalkeeper with her shot to hand Grace an early lead.

The rest of the half was a possession battle. Trinity defended stoutly, withstanding Grace's long bouts of possession.

The Lady Lancers moved the ball well and consistently advanced into the attacking third, but Grace was unable to find another goal as the match entered halftime.

The Lady Lancers finished with a 7-4 shot advantage in the half with only one of the Trolls' shots being on target. Grace also had the only three corner kicks of the half.

The second half began very similarly to the first. Grace quickly asserted itself as the offensive aggressor and put immediate pressure on Trinity's back line.

The pressure resulted in a goal just five minutes into the half. Danae Moriarty passed to Menzel at the top of the penalty box. Menzel turned and placed her shot outside the reach of the goalkeeper, doubling Grace's lead.

Aalbue put Grace on top by three just over 10 minutes later. After a lengthy spell of possession, the ball came to Aalbue. The senior split two defenders with a dribble then rocketed her shot into the back of the net.

The Trolls managed to pull a goal back with 23 minutes left to play. Trinity lofted a high shot that snuck under the crossbar.

But Grace had only reached half of its goal tally at that point.

With 13 minutes remaining, Kailey Burrell scored on a strong individual effort. She weaved through traffic and put her shot inside the post for Grace's fourth goal.

Right after kickoff, Grace scored again. Lilli Oberhoff slotted a pass to Menzel at the far post, and Menzel finished the simple tap-in.

Menzel still had time to wrap up her hat trick. In the closing minutes, Grace patiently moved the ball into Trinity's box. Lea Fricke had a chance to shoot but unselfishly passed to a wide-open Menzel, who completed her first collegiate hat trick with a close-range strike.

Grace finished the match with a 20-12 shot advantage and 7-1 edge in corner kicks.

Sofia Lerro made four saves in goal for Grace. Her defensive line of Simone Castaneda, Oberhoff, Lucy Schmitt and Erin Crew held Trinity's offense in check.