DUNBAR, W.V. - Grace College's men's soccer team kicked off the 2026 season in convincing fashion with a dominant win.
The Lancers (1-0) toppled the University of Northwestern Ohio (0-1) 3-0 on Thursday afternoon.
Grace, who was ranked No. 22 in the season opening coaches' poll, had three different players score in the contest and goalie
Ben Kenn picked up the clean sheet.
The Lancers controlled the pace from the opening kickoff and
Knox Ritter had an early shot toward goal redirected. Just minutes later Grace netted its first marker of the season.
A set piece opportunity allowed the Lancers to push their players toward goal and
Teague Misner set up
Vasco Tavares who blitzed across the box and headed the ball into the goal to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead.
Six minutes later the Lancers struck again. This time it was
Eric Favere who blasted home a shot to give Grace a two goal cushion just 18 minutes into the game.
Isaiah Lara assisted on Favere's marker.
After falling behind by a pair of goals UNOH spent the remainder of the half trying to cut the deficit in half. Their first shot of the game came at the 30 minute mark but Lancer keeper Kenn nullified the chance.
Teams exchanged corner kick opportunities late in the half and the Lancers were given a yellow card but the score remained unchanged as Grace led 2-0 entering the intermission.
Grace held a narrow 4-3 shot advantage while the Racers had three corner kick chances compared to Grace's two. 15 total fouls were called in the first 45 minutes.
The second half saw UNOH continue to push for their first goal as they had three of the first four shots early in the second half but just 6:34 into the frame the Lancers extended their lead.
Noah Ballard scored unassisted to give the Lancers a commanding 3-0 lead.
Grace's third marker killed whatever momentum the Racers seemed to have as UNOH failed to generate another offensive chance for the remainder of the contest.
Favere narrowly missed adding a second goal to his personal tally with two shots in close succession. His first attempt rang off the goal post and an ensuing chance sailed right of goal.
Julian Saldivar and
Felix Voigt each had shots that forced a save from the UNOH goalie as the Lancers secured the 3-0 season-opening victory.
Grace ended the game with a 12-7 edge in shots. Neither team had a corner kick in the second half. Kenn saved all three shots he faced.
Grace will be back in action on Saturday for a showdown with St. Xavier.
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