Grace erupts for five goals in Arizona
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Grace’s women’s soccer team enjoyed a goal spree on Monday against Arizona Christian to end their trip out West.
The Lady Lancers secured their fifth win of the young season thanks to a 5-0 victory over Arizona Christian.
The Firestorm (3-5) put up a brave resistance defensively in the first half. Grace assaulted ACU’s goal relentlessly in each half, totaling 27 shots in the match.
It took Grace nearly the entire first half to get on the scoreboard, despite firing off 14 shots before halftime. In the 44th minute, Grace’s attacking pressure finally paid off, forcing an own goal by ACU for a 1-0 lead.
The goal was a precursor for the rest of the match. The Lady Lancers (5-1) ripped off four more goals in the second half from four different players.
Barely one minute after halftime, Grace’s lead had doubled. Joana Schimmel made a threatening attack from the side, passing the ball in front of the goal. Shelby Fort connected for her third goal of the season at the 46:07 mark.
In the 53rd minute, Corinne Villalobos and Sacia Hanson combined for an attack in the middle of the field. Their quick play set up Jenni Phillips for Grace’s third goal.
Cassidy Wasson had a shot in the 70th minute that was denied, but Flavia Faria was there to finish off the rebound and make the score 4-0.
The scoring was finished six minutes later. Liz Van Wormer netted her first goal of the season thanks to the assist of Baylei Peters.
Bethany Blackwood played all 90 minutes in the Arizona sun to record the shutout as goalkeeper. She now has four shutouts over her first six collegiate matches.
Grace has outshot its opponents 16-3 so far in 2018; the only loss on Grace’s record came on Saturday with a 1-0 overtime defeat at No. 19 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).
Twenty players overall saw the field for Grace in the hot temperatures. Schimmel led all players with five shots, and Kristen Bellinger tried four shots.
Fort and Wasson each shot three times, and Villalobos, Allison Vroon, Anna Kuhl, Van Wormer and Faria all shot twice.
The Lady Lancers are back on the road Thursday with a 3 p.m. match at Cincinnati Christian.
