WINONA LAKE, Ind. - For most of the match, Grace's women's soccer team seemed to have the upper hand on No. 8 Marian during Grace's Homecoming match on Saturday.
The Lancers had nearly twice the number of shot attempts, held the Knights to just three shots on goal in the match and was holding a 1-0 lead as the game entered the final seven minutes.
But Marian struck gold twice over the closing minutes, managing to escape 1st Source Bank Field with a 2-1 victory.
Grace finished the game with a stunning 19-10 advantage in shot attempts, outshooting the Knights (8-1-2, 1-1-1 Crossroads League) in each half. But the Lancers only converted one of those 19 shots — a 60th-minute goal from Grace's Ellie Grieser — and had to settle for the late defeat.
To begin the game, Grace was the clear aggressor. The Lancers ripped off seven shots over the first 12 minutes, trying to pounce on the Knights early.
Rosalie Gefrorer had a long attempt skip wide of the goal, and Sam Vondersaar had a shot in the penalty box that was blocked.
Grace looked dangerous while attacking on the edges of the field thanks to the speed of Rylee Burns and Feline Abbo.
As the half continued, so did Grace's chances. After a strong build-up, Tori Twombly ripped a shot at the top of the 18-yard box which went high of the goal.
The Knights picked up a few chances as the half entered the final 20 minutes, but Grace's defense did not allow the Knights to score.
The first half ended without a shot attempted over the final 17 minutes of action; the teams reached the midway point in a scoreless draw.
Grace doubled the Knights in shots before halftime at 8-4. None of Marian's shots were on target.
The Lancers picked up where they left off to begin the second half. Grace continued to possess the ball with intent to score and put a series of shots on Marian's goal frame.
In the first 11 minutes of the second half, Grace had two corner kicks and three shots. Gefrorer and Twombly both had early shots, and Jasmin Slump's free kick attempt glanced off the crossbar.
With just over 30 minutes left in the match, Grace took the lead. Freshman Ellie Grieser came off the bench, stole a pass and calmly placed her shot past a defender and into the upper-90 of the goal.
Grace held its 1-0 lead into the closing 10 minutes and had a handful of chances to double that advantage.
With 15 minutes remaining, a quick switch of fields by Grace set up Abby Hodkin with a shot at the top of the box, but her attempt sailed high.
With nine minutes to go, Burns had a breakaway chance in the penalty box denied with an extended save.
After a foul near midfield with seven minutes to play, Marian restarted play quickly. The tactic worked as Grace's defense gave up a rapid pass in the box, resulting in a clean shot and the tying goal in the 84th minute.
Marian complete the comeback a minute later. The Knights were fouled just outside of the penalty box and promptly buried the free kick opportunity.
Marian had just three shots on goal in the match and scored on two of them.
Grace had a chance to match the free-kick goal when the Lancers were awarded a short free kick in the closing minute. Gefrorer's shot beat the Knights' wall but could not beat the MU goalkeeper.
Marian held on to secure the come-from-behind 2-1 victory.
Grace outshot Marian 11-6 after halftime. Gefrorer (eight shots) nearly outshot Marian's team (10 shots) by herself in the match.
The Lancers will hit the road twice next week, playing at St. Francis on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and at No. 2 Spring Arbor on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Grace returns home on Oct. 21 for its Senior Night; Grace will host Huntington at 7 p.m.
