PENSACOLA, Fla. - Grace's women's soccer team battled from behind to force a penalty kick shootout in Tuesday's NAIA Round of 16 versus Truett McConnell. 

But the PK shootout went TMU's way, ending Grace's season after a 1-1 draw. The Lady Bears advanced with a 4-2 scoreline during the PKs.

Grace owned a 23-10 advantage in shot attempts over the course of the 110-minute match, but the Lancers were unable to score enough to dispatch TMU.

Grace seemed comfortable in possession to start the match, but it was the Lady Bears who struck early. 

TMU capitalized on a loose ball in the penalty box, slamming a shot into the net at the 3:09 mark.

The Lancers responded positively, pushing immediately into TMU's end of the field.

Grace delivered several well-placed crosses, but the Lancers were unable to connect for a clean shot attempt.

The Lady Bears had very few chances with the ball on offense but nearly capitalized on another moment. A free kick resulted in a header to the far post, but Audrey Abel stood her ground and kicked the ball away from the goal line.

The Lancers threatened again 24 minutes into the half. But crosses from Nora Pollock and Abel were again not met on the receiving end.

Pollock had another chance with 17 minutes left, but her right-footed effort was saved. Pollock's shot with seven minutes on the clock also whizzed wide of the goal.

Grace trailed 1-0 as the game reached halftime. The Lancers had five shots and three corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes.

The Lancers began the second half in control, possessing the ball fluidly and consistently in TMU's end of the field.

With 32 minutes remaining, Grace produced a goal-scoring chance. Cassidy Felger picked out Rosalie Gefrorer in the heart of the penalty box, but Gefrorer's shot sailed above the crossbar.

Six minutes later, Felger snapped a right-footed shot that missed the left goalpost by a few feet.

The Lancers continued to own the ball in dangerous positions, keeping the Lady Bears pinned into their end of the field.

With 18 minutes left, Zoe Mueller had an open header go high, and Madelief Lowik's shot on a counter was blocked.

Grace's relentless pressure was finally rewarded with 11 minutes remaining in the game. Lowik crossed in front of goal toward Felger, who touched a quick pass to Abel. Abel then laced a brilliant strike past the diving goalkeeper to even the score at 1-1.

The Lancers had a few chances over the final 10 minutes, including late shots from Abel and Pollock as well as a potential penalty appeal denied.

But the regulation clock expired, sending the game to golden-goal overtime.

Grace had a 12-1 shot advantage after halftime, ending regulation with a 17-7 edge in shots. 

In the first overtime, Abel nearly won the contest with four minutes left. Her shot from the right side of the box forced a one-handed save by the TMU goalkeeper.

In the waning seconds of the first OT, Grace earned a corner. But Pollock's header at the far post hit the side netting.

The second OT saw Grace continue to flex its offensive muscles. Less than 90 seconds into the period, Rylee Burns crossed to Gefrorer, but her acrobatic volley was high of the mark.

TMU looked dangerous largely only on set pieces after halftime. The Lady Bears had a few chances in the second OT, but Ivy Cline did well to smother any shots.

Neither side was able to find a dramatic late winner, sending the game to a penalty kick shootout.

TMU was perfect in the shootout; the Lady Bears went 4-of-4 from the penalty spot, and Grace missed on two attempts. TMU advanced 4-2 to reach the NAIA quarterfinals.

The loss wraps up a memorable season for Grace. The Lancers finish the year with a 16-2-5 record.
Grace won the Crossroads League Tournament for the first time ever and tied for the team's deepest run at the NAIA National Championships.

Grace scored its most goals (83) and assists (82) in program history, won its fifth-most games ever, and won the NAIA 1st and 2nd Round - Winona Lake pod.