WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace College's men's soccer team picked up its 10th win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Saint Francis on Wednesday night.

With the victory, the Lancers (10-2-1, 4-0-1 Crossroads League) now hold sole position of 1st place in the conference at the midpoint of the Crossroads League schedule.

Saint Francis (7-4-3, 0-4-1 CL) battled hard throughout the match, but Josh Cruz would lift Grace to victory with his second half goal.

Grace had a flurry of chances 10 minutes into the game. Daniel Santos Rosa had a chance from the right side of the box, but his shot was denied by a sliding Cougar defender.

Just second later Juan Garcia attempted a low crossing pass that intended for a readied Martim Sequeira, but once again the USF defense hustled to spot to deny the chance.

The Lancers had another chance in the 15th minute courtesy of Sequeira, but his long shot drifted just wide of goal.

Neither team found much room to operate in the middle portion of the half as the game remained deadlocked zero.

The Cougars first shot of the game came with 14 minutes left in the half, but the attempt was easily handled by Matteo Conci.

Kyle Holwerda subbed into the game with 5:50 left before the intermission and wasted little time making his presence felt.

The junior outworked a pair of Cougars players for a ball at the top of the penalty area and blasted a shot past the USF keeper to push the Lancers ahead 1-0 as the game entered the intermission.

At the half Grace held a 5-2 shot advantage and a 3-1 corner kick advantage.

As the second began, Grace continued to push the pace of play.

The Lancers nearly saw their lead doubled by Garcia whose 20-yard attempt was pushed wide of goal by the diving keeper.

Frederik Christmann had two chances from the same spot but each time the USF defense was up to the task.

The Cougars drew even with 20 minutes left in the game. USF took advantage of a corner kick opportunity and a well placed shot off the head of a Cougars' player beat Conci to tie the game 1-1.

The deadlock was short lived though as Grace quickly responded with a marker of their own.

Cruz took advantage of a miscue by the Cougars keeper and confidently buried the go-ahead goal less than three minutes after USF had tied the game.

The quick response from Grace seemed to deflate the upset minded Cougars as the Lancers held on for the 2-1 victory.

The Lancers ended the game with an 11-7 shot advantage. Holwerda and Christmann led Grace with two shots apiece. Conci made two saves in the victory.

Next up for the Lancers is a home match with crossroads league foe Spring Arbor.