Grace women’s soccer sinks Lindsey Wilson
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace’s women’s soccer team completed a perfect nonconference season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Lindsey Wilson on Wednesday night.
The Lancers improved to 8-0 on the season after dispatching the four-time NAIA national champions at 1st Source Bank Field.
Cassidy Felger scored the game winner, and Grace’s defense took care of the rest with the team’s eighth-straight shutout.
Grace finished the match with commanding leads in shots (16-6) and corner kicks (8-1).
Grace leads the NAIA with eight shutouts. They have outscored their opponents 29-0. The team’s 8-0 start is tied for the second-best start in team history.
The teams took turns in possession to begin the game before Grace created two quick chances from Abby Hodkin and Lilli Oberhoff. LWC’s goalkeeper saved both shots from the edge of the box.
Rosalie Gefrorer also tried a high shot off a corner kick, but her attempt was also saved.
As the half wore on, Grace’s confidence seemed to grow. Grace had a strong chance midway in the half when a cross from Gefrorer met Hodkin near the goal, but Hodkin’s one-time shot was saved.
The Lancers’ offensive pressure finally broke through LWC’s defense with five minutes left in the half. Zoe Mueller led Amy Wearing with a pass along the left sideline.
Wearing crossed into the middle of the box, and Felger shot past the goalkeeper for the game’s only goal.
Lindsey Wilson had limited chances on offense, finishing the half scoreless with only two shot attempts – neither of which was on goal.
By comparison, Grace had seven shots on goal in the first half and three corner kicks.
The Lancers continued to threaten in the second half, building several waves of attack through their possession. Grace owned six of the first nine shot attempts in the half.
Audrey Abel fired a threatening shot early in the second half, and Wearing tried two shots in a three-minute span.
The Blue Raiders were again largely quiet on offense. Lindsey Wilson generated a handful of advances into Grace’s end of the field, but the swarming defense of Jaylin Young, Mueller, Jasmin Slump and Oberhoff snuffed out most chances.
Lindsey Wilson finished the match with just six shot attempts and only one on target. LWC’s final shot of the match came with 21 minutes left in regulation.
Sofia Williams recorded the shutout after making one save in the match.
The Lancers will begin Crossroads League action next week. Grace will play at Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Sept. 25 to kick off league play.