MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Grace College's men's soccer team dropped the Crossroads league Championship game 2-1 to No. 9 Bethel on Saturday afternoon.
The Lancers tied the game in the waning moments of regulation, but a second overtime marker from Bethel secured the championship for the Pilots
The Lancers now await a likely host bid to the NAIA National Tournament. The NAIA Selection Show for the men's tournament will be held on Monday. Play will begin on either Thursday or Saturday depending on the Lancers placement in the tournament.
The championship affair was reminiscent of the first meeting between the best teams in the Crossroads League as the game was a possession battle.
The Lancers had the first shot on goal 10 minutes into the opening half when
Frederik Christmann had a try that went high of the net.
A few minutes later it appeared as if
Martim Sequeira may be awarded a penalty kick after an illegal tackle in the box, but the play was whistled back for a Grace offsides call.
In the middle of the half the Pilots enjoyed the majority of possession and had a trio of consecutive corner kicks. Bethel was unable to take advantage however, as the Lancers defense held the Pilots without a shot.
Flavio Cruz was denied a dangerous chance after getting behind the Pilot defense and the Lancers were awarded a free kick as a result.
The ensuing try from Christmann snuck around the defensive wall, but the ball was smothered by the Pilot keeper to negate the Lancers chance.
The Pilots first shot of the game came with just 7:52 left in the half. The quality chance saw the ball quickly work the right to left side of the box, but
Matteo Conci was ready for the moment as he made a confident save to maintain the score.
The rest of the half elapsed without incident as the championship game entered the ha;f tied at zero. Â
Grace out shot the Pilots 3-1 in the first half, but Bethel held a 3-0 corner kick advantage.
The second half had a much more frantic pace than the opening 45 minutes. Grace and Bethel each had a shot in the first 10-minutes .
The Pilots nearly broke the deadlock with 31 minutes left with a chance near the corner of the net, but Conci made a kick save to keep the game scoreless.
The Pilots continued to chip away at the Lancers' defense and with 20-minutes left were awarded a penalty kick, after a collision in the box. The Pilots converted on the PK to take a 1-0 lead.
The Pilots had a chance to double their lead as the clock ticked under 10 minutes but Bethel's set-piece opportunity curled wide of the net.
The game turned in Grace's favor with just three minutes remaining in regulation. The Bethel Pilots were given a red card after
Maxime Bregeon was struck by a Bethel player as they wrestled for control of the ball.
Now playing man, it did not take Grace long to find the back of the net.
Gavin Morgan headed a ball along to
Daniel Santos Rosa who made a run towards the net before crossing a pass to
Martim Sequeira who headed in the equalizing goal.
The final minute saw each team make a last search towards goal, but neither attempt resulted in a chance as the game entered the first of two 10-minute overtimes.
The first 13 minutes of extra time passed without a shot goal.
The Pilots had a pair of shots on goal late in extra time and with a minute left Bethel would score the game winning goal.
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