Grace College Athletics

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's soccer team flexed its offensive muscles in the Crossroads League opener on Wednesday night.

The No. 7 Lancers routed St. Francis, winning 6-0 at 1st Source Bank Field. Grace scored twice in the first half and pounded out four more goals after halftime to handle the Cougars.

Grace dominated the chances to begin Wednesday's match. The Lancers owned almost all of the possession for the first 20 minutes.

Grace earned a few corner kicks in the opening 10 minutes, including one that resulted in a blocked shot from Hannah Medlin in the penalty box.

Shortly afterwards, Grace began peppering the goal with attempts. Twice, Nora Pollock cut through the heart of USF's midfield and let loose shots. Cassidy Felger also launched a shot that whizzed above the crossbar.

At the midway mark, Hannah Medlin touched a pass to Joya Lienammer in the box, but Lienammer's one-time shot was saved.

The go-ahead moment was constructed in the 34th minute. Felger and Abby Hodkin combined for two quick passes, giving Rosalie Gefrorer space at the top edge of the box. Gefrorer then pushed her shot through a myriad of Cougars, giving Grace the lead.

Just before the half, Grace doubled its advantage. Rylee Burns, Bethany Loveless and Hodkin pieced together a flurry of passes. The frantic Cougar defense tried to clear the ball out of danger, but the loose ball fell to Ellie Grieser. Grieser drilled a left-footed bullet past the goalkeeper and into the side netting.

Grace took a 2-0 lead into halftime, outshooting USF 10-0. Grace also racked up five corner kicks in the half.

The Lancers wasted little time to increase their lead in the second stanza. Rosalie Gefrorer picked up a brace two minutes into the half. A quick turn and slotted ball from Pollock put Gefrorer in prime position to slide her shot past the goalkeeper. 

Nearly 10 minutes later, Annika Finch scored a pair of goals in quick succession. Pollock got the play started on the first goal when her shot from atop the box was saved. The rebound fell to the feet of Finch, who calmly deposited it into the bottom corner to make it 4-0. 

Forty-three seconds later a long distance pass from Felger found Finch wide open at the top of the 18-yard box. Two touches from Finch into space and another well-placed shot to the bottom corner increased the lead once more.

The final tally of the night went to Bethany Loveless in the 63rd minute. Hannah Medlin's cross was flicked forward by Audrey Abel. Loveless raced by her defender, but her initial shot was saved. The rebound came right back to her, and she found the back of the net the second time.

Grace held possession throughout the night while adding 18 shots to the scoresheet in the second half. Overall, the home team outshot USF 28-1 in the game. 

Defensively, Elaina Clapp recorded the shutout. The defending crew of Jaylin Young, Hollie Robinson, Heidi Kever, Hannah Medlin, Madison Webster and Noelle Hooper held the Cougars without a shot on goal.

The Lancers will travel to Huntington on Saturday at 6 p.m. for their next match. Grace is back home on Sept. 30 for a marquee top-10 match against No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan.