Grace continues dominance with upset of No. 18 Taylor
UPLAND, Ind. – Grace’s women’s soccer team registered its finest win of the season on Saturday, and there have been plenty of wins from which to choose.
The Lady Lancers increased their win streak to eight games with a 1-0 upset of No. 18 Taylor. Liz Van Wormer provided the winning moment with a stunning goal in the second half.
Grace has been dominant during its current winning streak. The Lady Lancers (12-1, 4-0 Crossroads League) are outscoring their opponents 38-1, recording seven shutouts in those eight consecutive wins.
The team’s 12-1 start is tied with the 2009 squad for the best start in program history, and Grace sits tied atop the current league standings with No. 1 Spring Arbor.
Van Wormer’s game winner occurred in the 73rd moment. Brooke Kohler passed up the left sideline to Van Wormer, who dribbled down the field. Before getting to the endline, Van Wormer lofted a shot above Taylor’s goalkeeper and off the far post into the net.
The match started slowly as teams began to get their footing on the slick turf; the match was delayed 30 minutes prior to kickoff due to thunderstorms in the area.
The Trojans (9-2-2, 2-2 CL) had a slight edge in the first half, outshooting Grace 4-3 with three corner kicks.
The Lady Lancers seemed to be the aggressors in the second half. Grace’s possession attack found its rhythm after halftime, earning the better part of possession. Taylor was held without a shot for a 15-minute segment.
Joana Schimmel had a shot saved shortly after halftime, and Corinne Villalobos nearly scored in the 65th minute with an attempt that hit the crossbar.
Grace’s pressure started to wear down the Trojans, eventually resulting in Van Wormer’s winning goal at the 72:24 mark.
The Lady Lancers absorbed the response from Taylor after Van Wormer’s goal; the Trojans could only muster one shot on goal over the final 30 minutes of regulation, which Bethany Blackwood saved.
McKenna Cruz, Kohler, Aubrey Feipel, Allison Vroon, Kristen Bellinger and Clair Snodgrass joined forces in the match on defense to shut out Taylor, Grace’s 10th shutout of the season. Blackwood saved five shots in 90 minutes for the win.
The Lady Lancers return home for a pair of games next week, both against teams receiving votes in the NAIA poll. Grace hosts Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday 7 p.m. and Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Saturday 7 p.m.