Grace Edges Goshen, Stays Atop CL Race
GOSHEN – Grace’s men’s soccer team maintained its pole position in the Crossroads League with a 1-0 victory at Goshen on Wednesday night.
The Lancers (10-4, 5-1 CL) used a second-half goal from freshman Damon Binkley to take down the Maple Leafs (4-10, 3-3 CL), staying in a tie with Indiana Wesleyan for first place in the CL standings.
Grace has now won six of its past seven matches and has three games remaining in the regular season, including two at home.
Grace was better in terms of possession in the first half, stretching Goshen’s defense for long periods of the opening half. Binkley nearly created his own goal off a turnover, blocking a clearance from Goshen’s goalkeeper just outside the penalty box. But the goalie booted the loose ball away just before Binkley could capitalize.
Kyle Hamlin found space for a cross along the left side of the field, but Nikola Djordjevic’s volley was saved.
Goshen balanced out the play over the final minutes of the first half. The Maple Leafs had their best look of the period with a low shot that was saved by Robbie Barnhill. The game remained 0-0 at halftime.
Just a few minutes into the second half, Binkley weaved his way into shooting position, firing off a hard left-footed attempt that was caught by Goshen’s goalkeeper. Binkley eventually found his goal, however.
Hamlin split two defenders on the left side of the penalty box. He dribbled hard toward the endline and squared a pass to Binkley in front of goal, and the freshman finished off the pass for the game winner.
Binkley nearly scored again minutes later. Nakilee Weni found Binkley behind Goshen’s backline, but Binkley’s shot under pressure rolled wide of goal.
Mitchell Zeilenga had several crafty moves on the right side of the field, making a goal-scoring opportunity out of seemingly little, but his shot went wide. Daniel Smith also sparked a chance for Grace, stealing a ball in the midfield and sending Binkley on a long run, but Binkley’s close-range shot missed.
Barnhill earned his 10th win and his sixth shutout as goalkeeper. He was defended well by Dylan Andersen, Jon Sands, Justin Festa and Josiah Osborn.
The Lancers will host Bethel on Saturday 7 p.m. at Miller Athletic Complex.