Dominant second half propels Lancers

By Press release submission

Aug 24, 2022

Grace College's mens' soccer team used a trio of second half goals to defeat Michigan-Dearborn 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Martim Sequeira scored a pair of goals in the Lancers' victory during Grace's season opener.

Despite not grabbing the lead until deep into the contest, the Lancers controlled the pace of play throughout, holding a 23-4 shot advantage.

Grace nearly netted the game opening goal just seconds into the game when Kyle Holwerda sprinted past the Wolverines' defense, but his shot was sent high.

Just minutes later UMD jumped out to a 1-0 lead. The Wolverines earned a corner kick and took advantage of a bouncing ball to score and take the early lead.

After surrendering the goal, Grace settled into an offensive rhythm and began to dominate the time of possession.

Blake Burns nearly tied the game, but a diving keeper preserved the Wolverines' 1-0 advantage.

Nelu Calcai threatened on a number of occasions. His closest attempt came at the midpoint of the half as his shot on goal was redirected at the last second by a Wolverine defender.

The Lancers continued to pressure late in the half. Flavio Cruz found Sequeira on a beautiful crossing pass, but again the UMD keeper was up to task.

With four minutes left in the half, Grace's high-pressure defense forced the Wolverines into a turnover which set up the Lancers' first goal.

Scanferlato Simone sent a cross into the box. The ball glanced off the head of Daniel Santos Rosa and fell to Felipe Gruber, who buried that ball for Grace's first goal of the season.

Neither team threatened for the remainder of the half as the game entered the intermission at one apiece. Grace outshot UMD 10-3 through the first 45 minutes.

Seven minutes into the second half, Sequeira nearly timed a perfect run that would have provided a point-blank chance, but he was whistled for being offside.

Grace continued to dominate possession of the ball through the middle portion of the second half.

Sequeira produced the game-winning goal at the 68:47 mark after he was awarded a penalty kick for an illegal tackle in the box. Sequeira buried the kick with little hesitation to give Grace a lead they would not relinquish.

Just four minutes later, Gruber found Sequeira in the box again with a lofted pass. Sequeira beat the keeper with a crafty chip shot to extend Grace's lead to 3-1.

The Lancers continued to press offensively and were awarded their second penalty kick of the game.

This time it was Simone who stepped into the box and scored, pushing Grace's lead to the final line of 4-1.

The Lancers maintained possession for nearly the entirety of regulation to ice the victory.

Matteo Conci picked up the win in goal for Grace.

Grace will return to action on Thursday night for a 7 p.m. showdown as they host Cumberlands. Cumberlands, who is receiving votes in the NAIA poll, is the first of three straight opponents that are nationally ranked that Grace will host.