No. 6 Eagles edge by Grace in NAIA Second Round
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Grace’s women’s soccer team was unable to hand No. 6 Oklahoma Wesleyan its first loss of the season, falling 1-0 on Saturday in the NAIA Second Round.
The No. 18 Lady Lancers and No. 6 Eagles tangled evenly throughout Saturday’s national tournament match. But a 78th-minute goal was enough to push OKWU (22-0-1) into the next round of the NAIA tournament.
The first half was evenly played. Grace stuck to its possession attack and built a few dangerous moments from the back.
JJ Aalbue had Grace’s best look of the half with a shot from outside the 18-yard box that went high.
Oklahoma Wesleyan was largely held in check on offense. The Lady Lancers’ defense was organized and composed under pressure, limiting the Eagles’ attempts.
The teams entered halftime scoreless. Oklahoma Wesleyan had six shots, but none of those were on goal.
The game increased in physicality as the second half continued. The Eagles pelted the ball into the box repeatedly, but Grace’s defense dealt with most of the dangerous moments cleanly.
Grace’s chances on offense were few across the first 30 minutes.
The Eagles finally broke through with 12 minutes left in regulation. Oklahoma Wesleyan curled in a 20-yard blast to the far post to hand the home team a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Lancers’ best moments came in response. Grace moved the ball more purposefully after falling behind, gaining a few dangerous moments.
Kailey Burrell was sharp along the left sideline. One of her crosses was put in front of the goal near Luisa Machado, but Machado was unable to redirect her quick attempt past the goalkeeper.
Madison Tuma also tried a shot in the closing 10 minutes, as did Lea Moessinger, but the Lady Lancers’ search for a late equalizer came up empty.
The Lady Lancers (13-5-2) will shift their attention to a potential bid to the NCCAA National Championship. With an at-large bid, Grace would have a chance to defend its NCCAA crown. The Lady Lancers won the NCCAA championship last season for the program’s first national title.
