Grace’s women’s soccer perfect start continues
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – Grace’s women’s soccer team produced a clinical rout of Shawnee State on Wednesday.
The Lancers earned a convincing 3-0 win on the road, improving to 6-0 with their NAIA-best sixth shutout of the season.
Grace was in such control of the match on Wednesday that the Bears were unable to generate a single shot attempt.
The Lancers were credited with 14 shots, 12 of which were on target.
Grace has now outscored its opponents by a shocking 20-0 margin. Opponents have not scored against Grace in 540 total minutes of playing time.
The Lancers scored all three of their goals after halftime. Grace was in firm control in terms of possession, but could not put any of their shot attempts into the back of the net in the first half.
But Grace was about to enjoy a goal eruption in the second half.
The opening goal came in the 58th minute. Rosalie Gefrorer and Cassidy Felger proved to be a dangerous combination on the left side of the field.
Felger beat her opponent along the end line and passed inside the box to Abby Hodkin. Hodkin shot on her first touch. The ball glanced softly off the crossbar, and the SSU goalkeeper was unable to parry the ball out of danger as the ball fumbled its way into the net.
An insurance goal came in the 73rd minute. Gefrorer and Audrey Abel combined for two incisive passes outside the box, setting Tori Twombly free to face the goalkeeper.
The SSU goalkeeper and Twombly jostled for the free ball with Twombly eventually kicking in her goal while laying on the ground.
Four minutes later, Grace had pushed its cushion to 3-0. A foul by SSU resulted in a free kick opportunity for Grace. Gefrorer then set up Ellie Grieser, whose shot sailed above the goalkeeper and tucked safely in the back of the net.
The Bears had nothing in response on the offensive end. SSU had zero shots and zero corner kicks in the match, allowing Grace to control the ball until the final whistle.
Felger and Gefrorer led Grace with three shots apiece, and Grieser had two shots on goal.
Sofia Williams registered the shutout without needing to make a save. She was protected by the airtight defense of Lilli Oberhoff, Jaylin Young, Zoe Mueller, Elizabeth Maciejewski and Jasmin Slump.
Grace will put its unbeaten record to the test on Saturday for a home match against Lindsey Wilson. The Lancers will kick off at 2 p.m., which will be followed by a men’s match at 5 p.m. at 1st Source Bank Field.
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