Late header seals win for Grace
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace’s women’s soccer team continued its midseason surge in the Crossroads League with a 2-1 win over Huntington on Wednesday.
Allison Vroon secured the win in the 80th minute with a headed goal at 1st Source Bank Field. The victory was Grace’s third win in the past four games and moves the Lady Lancers into a three-way tie for third place in the Crossroads League.
“This was a good result for us tonight. Huntington has been a difficult opponent and has achieved good results this year,” said Grace head coach Michael Voss. “We have been growing, building and coming together at the right time. I’m excited to see us when we fully develop. We’re still solving pieces. We will keep after it and be better each day.”
Grace possessed heavily in the first half, outshooting the Foresters 9-5. The Lady Lancers (6-6-3, 3-3 CL) got on the scoreboard early.
In the ninth minute, Emma Neahusan won possession for Grace and sent a leading pass to Autumn Raulerson. Raulerson turned at the end line and laid off a pass to Neahusan at the right edge of the penalty box, and Neahusan placed her shot just below the crossbar for the game’s first goal.
Grace tried three more shots on goal in the half, including attempts from Raulerson, Corinne Villalobos and Liz Van Wormer, but the Lady Lancers were unable to double their lead before halftime.
The Foresters (7-7-1, 3-3 CL) picked up their attack to start the second half and eventually found an equalizer. Huntington scored at the 62:46 mark on its fourth shot of the half.
The rest of the game was fairly even with Grace holding the better of possession. Kristen Bellinger and Shelby Fort had shots after Huntington’s goal, but their tries went wide.
In the 80th minute, Grace won a corner kick. Raulerson crossed the corner into the middle of the box, and Vroon rose above the defense to head her shot above Huntington’s goalkeeper for the game-winning goal.
Grace kept Huntington off the scoreboard for the remaining minutes to secure the one-goal victory. The last three wins for Grace have been by one goal.
Abby Schue earned the victory in goal, making four saves in 90 minutes.
Ten players recorded a shot for Grace, led by two shots apiece from Villalobos, Bellinger and Fort.
The Lady Lancers end the week on Saturday at No. 2 Spring Arbor.
