Lady Lancers Settle For Tie
WINONA LAKE – Despite a 21-9 shot advantage, the Grace College women’s soccer team had to settle with a 1-1 tie against No. 22-ranked John Brown on Saturday.
The Lady Lancers (1-1-1) took a 1-0 lead into the final minutes, but John Brown found a late equalizer in the 80th minute to spoil Grace’s upset bid.
Grace held the Golden Eagles (1-0-1) to just two shot attempts in the opening period, but the Lady Lancers were unable to get on the scoreboard with nine shot attempts. Grace also held a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks before halftime.
In the 53rd minute, Mallory Rondeau opened the game’s scoring. Heather Martin sent a free kick into the penalty box, and Carianne Sobey’s headed pass found Rondeau for a sliding finish in front of the net.
Grace appeared on its way to an upset with a late lead, but John Brown had other ideas. The Golden Eagles (1-0-1) capitalized on a loose ball in the box to tie the game at the 79:13 mark.
John Brown denied Grace a potential late-game winner in regulation, but Meghan Wiles’s shot from close range was saved.
The best chances for either team in overtime came during the second extra session as two shots hit the crossbar. John Brown took the first attempt on a free kick that clanged off the bar, and Meghan Wiles looked to have the winner in response. Wiles’s long shot ricocheted off the crossbar and came dangerously close to bouncing down past the goal line.
The match ended with Grace taking 11 more shot attempts and seven more corner kicks (7-0) than John Brown. Wiles finished with five shots, and Holly Bennett had four attempts to lead Grace’s efforts.
The Lady Lancers continue action on Tuesday at Judson University. Grace’s next home match is on Sept. 20 against Westminster (Utah).