WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - A pair of first-half goals powered Grace's women's soccer team past St. Thomas on Saturday.
The match underwent multiple hours of lightning delays. But after the lengthy pause, Grace saw out the remaining minutes to secure the 2-1 victory.
The No. 8 Lancers (5-1-1) were dominant statistically, outshooting STU 18-3. Of the 11 corner kicks in the match, Grace took 10 of them.
It did not take long for Grace to begin generating chances. Seven minutes into the game, Nora Pollock placed a shot toward the far post which resulted in a diving save. On the ensuing corner kick, Grace had a pair of headers in the box.
A minute later, Cassidy Felger headed the ball to Abby Hodkin, but Hodkin's shot was saved.
Hodkin created the next chance, which was the go-ahead moment. Hodkin muscled through the Bobcats' defense and slipped a quick pass to Joya Lienammer in the penalty box. Lienammer made good on the chance, beating the goalkeeper for the opening goal.
Grace nearly scored a second goal a few minutes later. Lienammer and Pollock combined on the left side of the field, but Pollock's low drive was saved.
In the 19th minute, Grace's lead doubled. Cassidy Felger was fouled from behind in the box. She stepped up and drilled the penalty kick to hand Grace a 2-0 advantage.
The Bobcats did not record a shot attempt for the final 35 minutes of the half, and Grace strolled into halftime ahead 2-0.
The game took a turn a few minutes after halftime. In the 48th minute, the Bobcats pounced on an interception in Grace's defensive end of the field. A few dribbles and a shot later, STU quickly scored and made the score 2-1.
The Lancers made sure the Bobcats would not sniff another goal, however. Over the final 42:42 of regulation, STU recorded 7 fouls, 1 yellow card and 0 shots.
Grace controlled play, moving the ball at will and advancing consistently into dangerous positions.
A few minutes after STU's goal, Hodkin nearly scored. After a well-worked advance from Heidi Kever and Annika Finch, Hodkin tried a one-time volley. Her shot beat the goalkeeper but glanced off the crossbar. Rosalie Gefrorer shot a few seconds later, but her attempt sizzled wide of the far post.
The lightning delay began with 24 minutes left in the contest.
After the lengthy pause, Grace jumped right back into control of the match. The Lancers tried several more shots, to go along with six more corner kicks, but Grace did not find an insurance goal.
Grace's defense took care of the rest, however, muting any threats from the Bobcats. STU was held to three total shots in the match. Ivy Cline needed to make only one save in goal for Grace.
The Lancers have one final nonconference meeting remaining. Grace will travel to Lawrence Tech on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. game.
The Crossroads League season begins at home for the Lancers on Sept. 23 with a matchup against St. Francis at 1st Source Bank Field.
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