Hollar Nets Pair In Grace Win
MARION, Ind. – The Grace College women’s soccer team earned a crucial win on the road, romping past Indiana Wesleyan 4-0 in convincing fashion on Saturday.
Freshman Meredith Hollar scored twice, and Holly Bennett and Maile Grout netted goals in Lady Lancers’ (8-5; 5-0 Crossroads League) fifth straight victory.
Grace’s win sets up a monumental clash with NAIA No. 8 Spring Arbor at Miller Field on Tuesday. The Lady Lancers and Cougars are tied for first in the Crossroads League with just four matches remaining in the regular season.
“This was a good performance from the women today. The defense was very good and limited our opponent to very few chances,” said Grace head coach Michael Voss. “Our possession strung together several long bouts, and we finished our opportunities. This was a good team effort today.”
Grace scored early against their league rivals when Mallory Rondeau picked out Meredith Hollar with a pass behind the Wildcats’ defensive line. Hollar, a former star at Warsaw Community High School, finished the one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 13th minute.
Ten minutes later, Hollar doubled Grace’s lead off a great pass from Emily Hickerson. Hickerson found a lane on the left side of the field, cut along the end line and picked out an open Hollar for an easy finish in the penalty box. It was Hollar’s 11th goal of the season, and eighth goal in the past five games.
In the 34th minute, a deep shot from Holly Bennett forced IWU’s goalkeeper to make a diving save. Bennett did not have to wait much longer before scoring, however.
With just two minutes remaining in the opening half, Carianne Sobey played a ball to Jordan Hairgrove near the goal. Hairgrove’s position forced the Wildcats’ goalkeeper away from the net, and Hairgrove lofted a clever pass above the goalkeeper to Bennett in front of an empty net. Bennett’s goal handed the Lady Lancers a 3-0 lead at the halftime break.
The Lady Lancers continued to pressure in the second half, outshooting the Wildcats (5-6-1; 2-3 CL) 11-2 over the final 45 minutes.
Carmen Barnhill made a strong save to prevent Indiana Wesleyan from scoring with 30 minutes remaining, maintaining her clean sheet.
Kaitlan Wiles was denied Grace’s fourth goal when her hard shot was saved after a lengthy build-up of possession.
Maile Grout scored her first career goal in style with 14 seconds left in the game. Grout juked by a defender at the top of the box and laced a curling shot inside the right post for the final tally.
Overall Grace held a 20-6 advantage in shot attempts. Grace’s defense of Heather Martin, Faith Voehringer, Jalisa Thayer and Erica Manchess limited Indiana Wesleyan to just three shots on goal.