Lancers rout MVNU in physical bout

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Grace’s men’s soccer team and Mt. Vernon Nazarene squared off on Saturday with the Lancers rolling to a 4-0 victory.

The Lancers (10-2-3, 4-0-2 Crossroads League) used a two-goal performance from both Cody Boerema and Ulisses Miranda to blow by MVNU.

Saturday’s match was one of the more physical matchups of the season to date. Overall, 40 fouls were called, and seven cards were issued. The Cougars (6-6-3, 1-3-2 CL) were responsible for 26 fouls and six of the seven cards, including a straight red card.

Boerema was a force to be reckoned with in the first half for Grace. In the 15th minute, he netted the go-ahead goal. A corner kick came to the top of the penalty box, and Boerema ripped a shot into the lower corner of the net.

Eleven minutes later, Boerema had a brace. After the Cougars failed to deal with a defensive clearance, Boerema alertly volleyed in a goal from 30 yards out to score on an untended net.

Grace’s scoring was not done in the half, however. Marcelo Talamas picked out Miranda for a goal at the 29:55 mark, handing Grace a commanding 3-0 lead.

Shortly before halftime, the Cougars were dealt a blow with a straight red card. MVNU was forced to play the remainder of the match 10 versus 11.

Grace held a 15-2 advantage in shots before halftime and a 3-0 lead on the scoreboard.

The Lancers added their final goal 10 minutes into the second half as Talamas and Miranda connected again. Talamas squared a pass to Miranda, who slotted in his shot to the far post.

Grace coasted to victory with its comfortable lead. The Lancers substituted liberally in the match with 23 players for Grace seeing substantial time.

Kurt Hamlin needed only one save in 90 minutes to record his eighth shutout of the season.

The Lancers face one of their toughest matchups of the fall next week. Grace hosts No. 20 Spring Arbor on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a must-see contest. Spring Arbor currently leads Grace in the race for the league crown by 1.5 games.