WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's men's soccer team nearly toppled No. 4 Cumberlands in the 2025 season opener on Thursday night.

The Lancers were the aggressor through much of the match and despite surrendering the games opening marker they came away with the 1-1 draw against the fourth ranked Patriots.

Grace just missed out on drawing first blood in the games opening minutes when Knox Ritter made a well timed run and blitzed past the Cumberlands defenders. His ensuing shot on goal would slice just wide of the goal mouth though as the Patriots avoided the early blow.

Cumberlands responded with a pair of shots of their own but Grace's defense held firm, preventing the Patriots from attempting any high danger chances.

The middle of the half turned into a midfield battle as physicality from both teams began to ramp up.

The Lancers continued to push the pace of play and with 15 minutes left in the half came close from breaking the deadlock.

A well executed corner kick from Juan Garcia gave Sebastian Lozano a golden opportunity to head in the game's first goal as he stood just feet away from the goal line. The go-ahead goal was miraculously saved though as the sprawling keeper managed to punch the ball away to keep the game level.

Pedro Galante, who got the start in goal for Grace, did his part to send the game into the half tied at zero as he made a save in the waning minutes.

After the first 45 minutes, both teams had four shots and three corner kicks. Grace was whistled for seven fouls compared to the Cumberlands two.

As the second half got underway it appeared again as if the Lancers were going to have the momentum as Grace had shot on goal a corner kick in the opening minutes.

Things would turn in the Patriots favor when a seemingly harmless build turned into the game's first goal. Cumberlands placed a cross from well outside the penalty box and the lone Patriot player near goal made a tremendous effort on the ball and redirected perfectly as it slipped past the outreached hands of Galante to push Cumberlands ahead 1-0 with 32 minutes left.

Grace was undaunted by the deficit though and continued to press as they desperately sought the equalizer. 13 minutes after falling behind Grace did just that.

The Lancers quickly moved the ball forward as passes from Maxime Bregeon and Mateus and Pereira found Felix Voigt behind the Patriots defense. Voigt was almost too deep in the penalty box as it appeared his angle on goal was going to be caught off by the keeper but he managed to strike the ball with his left foot and the ball was true to its mark to tie the game at one.

Just moments later a pair of yellow cards in quick succession against the same Lancer player put Grace a man down. The Lancers stayed composed and limited the Patriots chances until the final seconds of regulation.

Cumberlands had their final chance at victory ring off the goal post with just 10 seconds left. Galante covered the redirected ball as the final seconds came off the clock to secure the 1-1 draw for the Lancers.

The Lancers finished the game with eight shots, just one fewer than Cumberlands and both teams had four corner kicks. Galante made three saves in goal.

The Lancers will return to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. as they boat Graceland.