Grace Men’s Soccer Drops Finale
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The 2012 season for the Grace College men’s soccer team ended on Saturday at the hands of Bethel College.
The Lancers were topped 3-1 by the Pilots in the seventh-place match of the NCCAA National Championships.
Grace struck first but surrendered three unanswered goals.
Gift Sibukome nearly opened the scoring with a curled shot in the first half that Bethel’s goalkeeper dove to redirect off the goal post.
Sibukome assisted the game’s first goal, however, with a slotted ball in the penalty box to Kyle Hamlin who finished with precision from close range.
Bethel sapped some of Grace’s energy with an equalizer minutes before halftime as the teams entered the break tied 1-1.
The Pilots’ shocked the Lancers’ defense with the go-ahead goal just 27 seconds into the second half.
A few minutes later, Steven Fiema was fouled near the top of the penalty box to earn a free kick. Sibukome hit a brilliant shot on the kick that clanged off the crossbar, but the Lancers were unable to level the scoring.
With less than 10 minutes to play, Bethel added the insurance goal to effectively end any thoughts of a comeback.
The defeat ends the careers of senior starters Collin Cone, Sam Cole and Trenton Porter. The trio has been integral in anchoring the Lancers’ defense over their careers, culminating with back-to-back appearances in the NCCAA National Championships.