WINONA LAKE, Ind. - The perfect season continued for Grace's women's soccer team on Saturday.
The Lancers (5-0) blanked Michigan-Dearborn by the score of 4-0 at 1st Source Bank Field. Grace had four different goal scorers, and Audrey Abel passed out two assists.
Grace was patient in its possession to begin the game. Five minutes into the match, Grace nearly scored on its first deep advance, but a breakaway shot from Cassidy Felger sailed high of the goal.
The Lancers did not have to wait long to get on the scoreboard, however. A corner kick produced a dangerous pass from Rosalie Gefrorer.
The ball reached Hannah Medlin, but her initial shot in the box was saved by the goalkeeper. The loose ball came back to Medlin, who buried the rebound in the 12th minute.
Lilli Oberhoff and Abel also had dangerous shots during the first half.
A pair of well-placed passes from Madelief Lowik and Gefrorer produced a shot in the box from Abby Hodkin, but Hodkin's shot was denied off the goalpost.
Minutes later, Abel and Hodkin combined for two shots in rapid succession – both of which were denied by athletic stops from the Wolverines.
The Lancers were in clear control during the half, outshooting UMD 15-0. But the Wolverines only surrendered the one goal as the teams reached halftime.
Grace was quick to add an insurance goal after halftime. Abel picked out Tori Twombly toward the top edge of the penalty box. Twombly wheeled toward goal and curled a deep shot inside the far post to make the game 2-0 at the 47:15 mark.
In the 65th minute, Grace extended its lead. Jasmin Slump collected the ball just outside the penalty box and curved her shot outside the reach of the goalkeeper; it marked Slump's first collegiate goal.
Grace's scoring was concluded eight minutes later. Abel made a weaving run through the heart of the Wolverines' defense, dribbling past several players.
As she approached the penalty box, Abel cleverly led Hodkin with a pass behind the defense, and Hodkin placed her shot into the back of the net.
Hodkin has a team-leading five goals, scoring one goal in every game so far.
The Lancers continued to possess and threaten as the game continued, amassing 30 total shots in the game.
Grace finished the game with a 30-3 advantage in shots and 10-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Grace's defense gave UMD almost no hope of a goal, recording the team's fifth shutout of the season. The Lancers lead the NAIA with five shutouts and have not surrendered a goal through 450 minutes of action.
Lilli Oberhoff, Jaylin Young, Zoe Mueller, Elizabeth Maciejewski and Slump carried the majority of the defensive work. Sofia Williams made two saves to post the shutout.
Grace has now outscored its opponents 17-0 this year. Nine players have scored a goal, and 11 players have recorded an assist.
Next week, the Lancers will travel to Shawnee State on Wednesday before returning home on Saturday against Governors State at 2 p.m.
