WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Anticipation is sky-high for Grace's women's soccer team as they approach the start of the 2026 campaign.
The Lancers are coming off a record-shattering year in 2025 under head coach Michael Voss.
Grace set team records for most goals, assists and points, outscoring opponents 83-9 on the year. The Lancers made history by winning the Crossroads League Tournament for the first time in team history and advanced to the NAIA Round of 16.
Grace returns an enviable arsenal of talent, including a pair of NAIA All-Americans (Cassidy Felger, Nora Pollock). Overall, 88% of Grace's goals are back from last year as the Lancers look to make another deep postseason run.
"There is a tremendous amount of excitement surrounding this team and the season ahead. We have a large group of players who have been consistent in their investment; they have grown spiritually, developed as footballers and become stronger physically. What we're seeing now is the culmination of several years of intentional work, growth and commitment," Voss said.
Despite a banner year in 2025, Voss maintains that the Lancers are far from satisfied with resting on last year's success. The team wants to challenge themselves against the nation's best.
Accordingly, Voss has put together one of the toughest schedules in program history. The Lancers will battle nine teams who qualified for last year's NAIA National Championships, including three top-10 teams, two of the four semifinalists and the defending national champions.
"We have lofty goals as a team. We want to be a national contender, and we believe we have a group capable of competing with the best. But we also recognize that if our goals don't require us to trust God and depend on Him, then our goals aren't big enough. We want to challenge ourselves to become the very best team we are capable of together, and trust God with the outcome. We're going to embrace every opportunity to test ourselves, grow through the challenges and position ourselves to be playing our best football when it matters most," Voss said.
Grace will have almost its entire starting lineup back from last year. The majority of Grace's nine seniors have started since their first days on campus, providing experience and composure.
Voss was particularly pleased with the atmosphere during training sessions. The upperclassmen have helped create a competitive, fast-paced environment, allowing the younger players to learn quickly from their peers.
"It's a blessing to have so many people in our squad who live on mission and are strong leaders. The new players arrived fit and are learning faster because our upperclassmen are teaching integration. It's a fantastic environment, one that you dream of," Voss said. "Our preseason training has been incredible. I have to modify and reduce minutes because they want to train hard every session."
The Lancers boast a variety of attacking options even beyond the NAIA All-Americans Felger and Pollock. Audrey Abel, Rylee Burns, Rosalie Gefrorer, Abby Hodkin and Ellie Grieser each contributed to more than 10 goals apiece last year.
The defense will be anchored by returning starters Heidi Kever, Jaylin Young and Hannah Medlin along with goalkeeper Ivy Cline.
The incoming class, including a few transfers, have adapted quickly to Grace's system and culture. Multiple newcomers are poised to contribute immediately, adding depth and quality to positions across the field.
Voss is hoping that Grace's intelligence and flexibility will be a key ingredient to the team's success. The Lancers have always flexed their possession-based style of play on teams, but Voss believes this squad can control the game in a variety of ways.
"The season and our schedule is difficult, so we need to figure out how to win games in different ways and in different shapes. This group has the ability to change how we attack, so we are seeing how we can get the most out of this group," Voss said. "We want to imprint our style each game and find ways to control the landscape for 90 minutes."
The 2026 campaign has special meaning as well; the program is celebrating the 30-year anniversary of the start of women's soccer at Grace. The team is planning a major reunion during Homecoming weekend on Oct. 2-3.
"This year's team is a great reflection of everyone who has poured decades of work into Grace College women's soccer. We've been faithful to the mission of our college and our team. Watching this group pick up the baton and run so well with it has been a blessing," Voss added. "We invite all alumni and fans to come watch us play. It's a group that we can be proud of, and it's a testament to all of the investments that have been made over the years."
The Lancers will begin the year on Saturday with a high-profile match against Oklahoma Wesleyan, held at a neutral site in Missouri.
Grace then has a four-game home stand from Aug. 26 - Sept. 5. The home opener is set for Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. against Indiana Tech.
