Grace defeats No. 5 IWU in dramatic fashion
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace College’s men’s soccer team defeated No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan in a wild 4-3 matchup on Wednesday night.
The game-winning goal came courtesy of Kyle Holwerda who scored with just 2:20 left in the game to lift the Lancers (3-5-2, 2-1 Crossroads League) over the previously unbeaten Wildcats.
The goals came early and often in topsy-turvy affair. Grace scored on the game’s first shot, just over six minutes into action.
The icebreaker was scored by Joao Laranjo who took full advantage of an ill-advised pass from a Wildcats (10-1, 2-1 CL) defender. Laranjo intercepted the pass and immediately turned toward goal and lifted an arcing shot over the outreached hand of the IWU keeper to give Grace the early advantage.
The Lancers lead was short lived though, as the Wildcats responded with an offensive blitz to race ahead 2-1 by the middle portion of the half. IWU’s pair of goals were separated by just 4:42.
Grace failed to muster much of an offensive threat for much of the 1st half, but momentum swung in the Lancers’ favor after a Wildcats’ red card.
IWU was given the red card after an illegal tackle which prevented a breakaway scoring chance for Grace. The Wildcats were forced the play the final 55:27 with just 10 player on the field,
Now playing a man up, the Lancers’ frantically attacked on offense as they sought to score the equalizer. Their efforts paid off when Nathan Van Keulen worked the ball deep into the attacking end and crossed a low pass to Holwerda who buried the ball to tie the game at two with seven-minutes remaining in the half.
Grace nearly took the lead into the half when Holwerda got behind the Wildcats’ defense with just seconds remaining but his attempt on goal sailed just high of the crossbar as time expired on the first half with game even at two-goals apiece.
At the halftime intermission the Lancers held a narrow 8-7 lead in shots while IWU had four corner kicks compared to Grace’s one.
The second half started much like the first, with a goal coming on the first shot after play resumed. This time it was IWU who scored to claim a one goal lead for the second time of the contest.
The Lancers responded just two-minutes later with a goal from Daniel Santos Rosa who settled a pass from Josh Cruz and blasted a shot past the goalie to even the game at three.
The Lancers dominated possession for the remainder of the half as they pelted the IWU goal with 11 shots in the frame.
With time dwindling it looked like the Lancers might have to settle for a draw, but a corner kick opportunity with 2:20 left on the clock proved to be the ball the Lancers needed.
Teague Misner crossed the corner opportunity into the middle of the box and Holwerda headed it into the far side of the open net before sprinting towards the jubilant Lancer crowd.
With the late go-ahead goal, Matteo Conci had to fend off just one Wildcats shot in the final moments to seal the 4-3 upset victory for Grace.
Grace finished the game out shooting IWU 19-11 and held an 8-5 corner kick advantage. Holwerda’s two goals give him six on the season.
Grace will return to action on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Lancers will host #RV Marian as part of Grace College’s homecoming festivities.