Grace Men Fall in Shootout
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Grace College men’s soccer team struggled to score both in regulation and in overtime, eventually falling to Union University 3-2 in penalty shootout fashion in the first round of the NCCAA National Championships Wednesday.
The Lancers (13-5-3) tallied 16 shots in defeat, but they were unable to convert their shots into goals and paid the price in the shootout.
Union’s offense was largely muted in the first half as they mustered a single shot attempt in the first 45 minutes of play.
Grace, on the other hand, recorded five shots and four corner kicks in the first half, but the teams entered halftime scoreless.
Nikola Blazic nearly scored twice but was denied each time by the goalpost. Union also thought they had scored on a counterattack, but their goal was waved off by the official due to a foul on the offensive player.
Gift Sibukome had a strong look in the second half as well, but his attempt from eight yards away sailed just above the crossbar.
Although the Lancers did not register a shot attempt in the first overtime period, they turned up the offensive pressure in the second overtime. Grace outshot Union 4-1 in the final 10-minute period to go along with a pair of corner kicks, but they were once again shut out from scoring.
Their offensive struggles continued into the penalty shootout when two of their PK attempts missed and two others were saved by Union’s goalkeeper. Shane Barthuly and Sibukome both scored for Grace.
Goalkeeper Collin Cone did an outstanding job in goal by saving three of Union’s PK’s, but the Bulldogs eventually found the winner on their sixth attempt.
Steven Fiema led all players with eight shots, and Sibukome tallied a pair of shots as well. Cone made five saves in goal for the Lancers. All in all, 39 fouls were called in the match with 23 being whistled against Union.
The Lancers will continue play in the consolation bracket of the NCCAA National Tournament against Roberts Wesleyan on Thursday at 12 p.m.