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Saturday, November 23, 2024

Grace collects win in NCCAA opener

Grace collects win in NCCAA opener

Grace's women's soccer team began its NCCAA title defense with a 3-1 win over Southwestern Christian on Monday.

The Lady Lancers (14-5-2) used a goal from Madison Tuma and two more from JJ Aalbue to win the opening game of pool play at the 2022 NCCAA National Championships.

Grace will wrap up pool play on Wednesday, taking on Judson at 1 p.m. A win against Judson would guarantee Grace's spot in the national semifinals on Friday.

Grace needed less than five minutes to get on the scoreboard. Lea Moessinger sent a free kick into a dangerous position, and Tuma finished over a defender to give Grace a quick lead.

The Lady Lancers wasted little time asserting dominance on the ball. Grace possessed the ball fluidly over the first 10 minutes, moving the ball into SCU's box multiple times.

Grace's movement greatly limited the Eagles' time on the ball in the half. SCU tried four shots in the first half, but only one was on target.

Tuma nearly scored again in the final eight minutes of the half. She juked past a defender and charged at goal, but her shot resulted in a diving save.

Grace earned multiple close-range shots over the final two minutes, including efforts from Sam Vondersaar, Kailey Burrell and Lucy Schmitt, but the Eagles refused to budge and kept Grace at one goal.

The Lady Lancers had 12 shots during the first half, but Grace had to settle for the 1-0 lead. The Lady Lancers also racked up eight corner kicks and six shots on goal.

The Eagles stunned Grace in the opening minutes of the second half, slicing a shot just beneath the crossbar to even the score.

Shannon Farnsworth nearly put Grace ahead with 35 minutes to play. Her first shot inside the box was saved, and her follow up missed the target.

Grace resumed its assault on the Eagles' net in response, eventually finding the go-ahead goal with 27 minutes left. Aalbue stole a pass from the Eagles and promptly slotted her shot to the far post to hand Grace a 2-1 lead.

Five minutes later, Lilli Oberhoff was fouled in the box on a weaving run. But the ensuing penalty kick for Grace clanged off the crossbar.

Grace added an insurance goal in the 88th minute. Aalbue cut inside past a defender at the left edge of the penalty box. She blasted a low drive past the outstretched goalkeeper to provide Grace's third goal.

Aalbue nearly completed a hat trick in the final minute. A leading pass from Moessinger picked out Aalbue alone in the attacking third of the field. Aalbue beat the goalkeeper with her shot, but the ball bounced harmlessly off the goalpost.

Grace finished the game with 25 shots, 11 shots on goal and 12 corner kicks. Aalbue (nine shots) had more shots than SCU as a team (eight shots).

Sofia Lerro made four saves to secure the win in goal. She was protected well by defenders Oberhoff, Schmitt, Simone Castaneda and Erin Crew.

Original source can be found here.

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