Grace women’s soccer enjoys season-opening win
OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Grace women’s soccer team began its 2024 campaign with a 1-0 victory at Brescia on Wednesday afternoon.
The Lancers displayed dominance despite the narrow scoreline.
Grace outshot the home team by a commanding 35-3 margin. Abby Hodkin’s goal in the 72nd minute was the difference on the scoreboard for the Lancers (1-0).
The Lancers wasted little time asserting themselves in the season opener. Within the first 10 minutes of action, Grace had already fired off five shots from four different players.
Grace turned up the pressure midway through the half with four shots in a four-minute span.
The rest of the half continued to see Grace on the gas pedal, racking up 17 shot attempts. But the Lancers had to settle for the 0-0 scoreline at halftime.
The story was much of the same in the second half; Grace owned a stunning 18-1 advantage in shots taken.
In the 67th minute, Grace nearly broke onto the scoreboard. A corner kick from Cassidy Felger was met by a headed shot attempt from Zoe Mueller.
Mueller’s header bounced off the crossbar and fell back to her feet. Mueller’s second attempt struck the goalpost, which in turn rebounded back to Grace. Abby Hodkin had two cracks at the rebound but both were blocked, including one that was denied off the goal line by a defender.
But the Bearcats weren’t out of danger yet. Less than four minutes later, Grace punctured Brescia’s back line.
Grace’s goal started with a crafty run from Rylee Burns, who sliced through a few defenders to create the chance. Burns then slotted a pass to Felger, and her low shot was parried away by the goalkeeper.
Hodkin pounced on the loose ball in the box and drilled the ball into the net for the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute.
Grace’s possession and defense took care of the rest. The Lancers did not allow a shot attempt over the final 24 minutes of the match.
Sofia Williams made one save to record the shutout in goal for Grace. She was protected well by the back line of Mueller, Jasmin Slump, Jaylin Young and Lilli Oberhoff.
Grace will remain on the road for a match at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Next week, Grace will play at home twice (Wednesday, Saturday), including the home opener on Wednesday against Indiana Tech at 7 p.m.
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