RIO GRANDE, Ohio. - Grace College's men's soccer team came away with its second draw of the season after battling No. 22 Rio Grande to a 1-1 deadlock after 90 minutes on Saturday night night.
The Lancers (1-0-2) are unbeaten through three games and both ties have come against NAIA Top 25 opponents. Grace tied No. 4 Cumberlands 1-1 in the season opener.
Saturday's contest took place in Rio Grande, Ohio. The Red Storm are also hosting No. 11 Bethel and RV Cumberland. Grace will play Cumberland on Monday at 1:30 p.m.
The Red Storm got off to a fiery start against Grace, scoring on the first shot of the game just over a minute and half into play. Rio Grande was able to redirect a ball that was crossed into the box which froze
Pedro Galante momentarily as the ball snuck past him to put the Lancers behind early.
The Lancers had to continue to weather the Red Storm onslaught as Rio Grande controlled possession in search of the second goal of the match. Rio Grande had six total shots 25 minutes into the game.
Sebastian Lozano had Grace's first shot on goal in the 26th minute. His shot was fended off but seemed to sway momentum in the Lancers' favor.
Grace had a trio of shots and a pair of corners before finally breaking through and tying the game in the 35th minute.
Vasco Tavares headed a ball along to
Diego Yanes who played a beautiful touch back to
Luis Munoz. Munoz confidently struck the ball and blitzed it past the Red Storm keeper to tie the game at 1-1.
Each side had one more shot before the half but neither team converted as the game entered the intermission deadlocked.
Rio Grande had eight shots at the half compared to Grace's seven. Grace had one more corner kick and was called for four more fouls.
In the second half the quality chances were fewer but each team still found opportunities to threaten.
The most dangerous of the scoring chances belonged to the Red Storm as they sustained pressure for six minutes and had four shots and three corner kicks during that stretch. Both shots that were put on goal were negated but Galante.
Grace had a pair of free kick chances late in the half but added up to naught.
The final minutes saw both sides try to formulate a successful counter attack but the would be game winning goal was not to be found as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Grace finished the game with 10 shots and three on goal. The Lancers also had five corner kicks and Galante made five saves.
Grace will stay in Rio Grande to take on RV Cumberland on Monday afternoon.
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