WINONA LAKE, Ind. - The postseason kicked off in winning fashion for Grace's women's soccer team on Wednesday afternoon.
The No. 16-ranked Lancers topped Bethel 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Crossroads League Tournament.
Nora Pollock provided the winning moment in the 62nd minute, helping Grace begin the league tourney with a win at 1st Source Bank Field.
Grace advances to Saturday's semifinal match, which will be played at No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan at 5 p.m.
The Lancers (14-2-3) began the game confidently. Grace controlled possession of the ball for the first 40 minutes, keeping the Pilots pinned into their half of the field.
Grace, who had 62 percent of possession in the first half, generated six shots before halftime.
Abby Hodkin tried a long-range effort that missed the top corner of the goal.
Rosalie Gefrorer also had two shots on goal from inside the penalty area that were saved.
Grace's best chance came in the 29th minute. Cassidy Felger collected a loose ball in the box and poked a shot toward Bethel's goal. A Pilot defender made a last-second stop, clearing the ball off the goal line to keep the game scoreless.
Bethel sparked to life in the closing seven minutes of the half. The Pilots tried to capitalize on Grace's mistakes, including an attempt in the final 100 seconds that was saved from Grace goalkeeper Ivy Cline.
The match entered halftime even at 0-0. Grace had a 6-2 shot advantage and took four of the five corner kicks in the half.
The Lancers were even more dominant in the second half. Grace flexed its possession muscles, giving the Pilots fewer chances than the first half.
Grace peppered Bethel's goal with shots to begin the second half. The Lancers created numerous goal-scoring opportunities, including a close-range header from Pollock which was set up by a cross from Jaylin Young. Rylee Burns also tried a left-footed shot in the box that whizzed above the goal frame.
The Lancers finally broke through Bethel's rigid defense at the 61:33 mark. Cassidy Felger picked out Pollock with a pass; Pollock slotted her shot beyond the reach of the goalie, finding the back of the net for the game's only goal.
Grace did its best to add an insurance goal over the closing 29 minutes, firing off six more shots. The closest chance came from the foot of Audrey Abel, but her attempt from outside the 18-yard box missed the crossbar by inches.
The Lancers' defense took care of the rest, limiting Bethel to one shot attempt after halftime (no shots over the final 36 minutes).
Grace's shutout was secured with three saves by Cline. She was protected well by defenders Mueller, Heidi Kever, Young and Hannah Medlin.
The Lancers outshot Bethel 17-3 for the match, including 11-1 after halftime. Grace also owned a 6-1 edge in corners.
Pollock had five shots (two on goal), and Hodkin, Felger, Gefrorer and Madelief Lowik each shot twice.
