WINONA LAKE, Ind. - A hard-fought match under the lights at 1st Source Bank Field ended in a draw between Grace's women's soccer team and Northwestern Ohio.
The No. 12 Lancers scored with 13 minutes remaining. But the Racers leveled the score in the closing minutes thanks to a penalty kick, and the match ended even 1-1 on Saturday.
Grace (2-0-1) has already played two ranked teams this season, including the Racers (receiving votes in the NAIA poll). The Lancers will host two more ranked opponents next week at home, including Wednesday at 7 p.m. against No. 16 Lindsey Wilson and Saturday at 2 p.m. against No. 24 Columbia.
Saturday's match began with an impressive display of possession from the Lancers. Grace was in full control of the match in the first half, owning 74 percent of possession in the opening 45 minutes.
The Lancers moved the ball quickly around the pitch, keeping the Racers chasing for practically all of the half.
In the 13th minute, Grace nearly scored on its first shot attempt. Audrey Abel picked out Nora Pollock on a run to the goal. Pollock's low shot dribbled just to the outside of the far post.
A few minutes later, Rosalie Gefrorer unleashed a long drive that was saved with a leaping effort by UNOH's goalkeeper.
With 10 minutes remaining in the half, Grace quickly sprinted into the Racers' penalty box. After several passes, Grace earned two shots in quick succession. But each golden opportunity was blocked by a Racer defender.
In the final seconds of the half, Grace tried one more charge. Abel lofted a pass to Rylee Burns, but her shot under pressure whizzed wide of the goal.
The first half ended scoreless. Grace had an 8-3 advantage in shot attempts in the half.
In the second half, just three shots were attempted over the opening 20 minutes. UNOH had two, each of which was saved by Ivy Cline.
Grace's shot came from Abel, an attempt that was deflected and caromed off the crossbar.
The match began to pick up intensity as each side sought out a go-ahead goal. With 13 minutes to go, Gefrorer beat a defender on the left edge of the field. She drove into the box and squared a pass to Pollock, whose sliding shot was blocked. The loose ball fell to Burns, and the senior forward slammed her shot through the goalkeeper's gloves, off the goalpost and into the net.
The Lancers did their best to hold the 1-0 lead, but the Racers managed to equalize. Grace was called for a foul on the edge of the penalty box with two minutes remaining. The Racers scored from the spot to secure the 1-1 draw.
Grace had 10 shots and five corner kicks, while UNOH recorded nine shots and three corners.
Cline made four saves in goal for the Lancers.
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