INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Grace's men's soccer team rolled by Marian on Saturday, winning handily by the final score of 3-0.
The NAIA No. 4-ranked Lancers (9-2-1, 3-0-1 Crossroads League) moved into a tie for first place in the league standings after the win.
Martim Sequeira scored twice and collected an assist in an impressive performance. Grace finished the match with an 18-8 advantage in shots, racking up 11 shots on goal.
Grace stunned the home Knights (7-2-2, 2-2 CL) with a goal on the Lancers' first try.
Before two minutes had expired, Grace led 1-0. Frederik Christmann lofted a pass beyond the reach of Marian's defenders. Martim Sequeira timed his run well, firing his shot past the goalkeeper and into the far side of the net 1:39 into the match.
It did not take Grace long to score again. In the ninth minute, Daniel Santos Rosa picked off a pass by Marian's defenders. Sequeira then quickly led Rosa with a pass, and Rosa converted from a similar angle to double Grace's lead.
Grace had no trouble controlling the rest of the half with its possession. The Knights mustered just two shots across the final 23 minutes of the half.
The Lancers had three more corner kicks and a few more shots, but Grace's 2-0 lead proved to be the difference as the match entered halftime.
Grace had four shots on goal in the half compared to none for Marian.
The Lancers pressed hard for another goal to begin the second half. Grace tried early shots from Josh Cruz and Sousa in the opening five minutes followed by three quick attempts from Josh Cruz, Flavio Cruz and another from Sousa.
With 30 minutes left in regulation, Grace added an insurance goal. Joao Sousa placed a corner kick into the box. The ball took a deflection off Dan Allen and found a Sequeira near the far post. Sequeira promptly lashed his shot above the goalkeeper's head and into the back of the net for the final 3-0 margin of victory.
The teams traded shots for the rest of the half. Sequiera tried a few more attempts as he sought out a hat trick, and Juan Garcia and Flavio Cruz also had shot attempts.
In the closing minutes, Blake Burns had two more tries but came up empty.
Sequeira finished with two goals and an assist, shooting four times. Garcia and Flavio Cruz had three shots, and Sousa had three shots on goal.
Matteo Conci needed to make just one save to collect his clean sheet. He was protected well by the defense of Cruz, Diogo Lopes and Tren Schurgers.
The Lancers will be home twice next week, including Wednesday against St. Francis and Saturday against Spring Arbor. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. at 1st Source Bank Field.
