Grace’s men soccer players celebrate Damon Binkley’s goal in the first half of a 7-0 win over Lancaster Bible Saturday afternoon. (Photo provided by the Grace College Sports Information Department)

WINONA LAKE – The Grace men’s soccer team defeated Lancaster Bible 7-1 at 1st Source Bank Field on Saturday.

The Lancers (8-7-3) began the NCCAA Midwest Regional in spectacular form in the quarterfinals with six different names on the scoresheet. The win moves Grace into the semifinals on Friday against Houghton. The semifinals and finals will be held at Indiana Wesleyan.

Grace gained control of the game in the early stages by keeping possession and passing well. The Lancers outshot the Chargers 10-2 in the first half, and three of those shots found the back of the net.

Grace settled into the game quickly and scored in the 23rd minute. Damon Binkley received a pass from Thomas Tydeman and had a look at goal. While he was on the right side of the 18-yard box, he sent his shot to the far left post to leave Lancaster’s keeper no chance for a save.

The Lancers’ second goal came from Tydeman. Colin Cape gained control in the midfield and sent a through ball to an unmarked Tydeman, who rounded an oncoming defender and slotted in his goal to the goalie’s right.

Cody Boerema provided Grace with its third goal just seven minutes later. After Nikola Djordjevic won a tackle in midfield, Daniel Smith dribbled through the Chargers’ territory with ease. He found a well-positioned Boerema who was able to slip the ball through the keeper’s legs, making the scoreboard show 3-0 at halftime.

It took Grace a mere two minutes to score again in the second half. Binkley passed to Smith, who finished his shot beneath the crossbar.

Binkley picked up another assist six minutes later when he found Breno Oliveira in a better position for a shot. From 15 yards out, Oliveira finished the ball inside the left post.

For the next 30 minutes, neither team could find the net despite several chances for each side. The final three goals came in the final five minutes. Santiago Maya scored for Grace in the 85th minute following a corner, and Boerema scored his second goal of the day in the 90th minute assisted by Dominic Harris.

Lancaster’s goal came in the 86th minute when Marco Patz won a penalty kick. His shot was saved by a diving Robbie Barnhill, but Justin Stolzfus was the first to jump on the loose ball and netted to give the Chargers (10-11) a consolation goal.

Overall Grace outshot Lancaster 24-5 which included 13 shots on goal. Six of Grace’s goals were assisted; Damon Binkley had two assists as well as the opening goal. Kurt Hamlin started the game as Grace’s goalkeeper, and Robbie Barnhill took over for the second half.

The winner of the regional will receive an automatic bid to the NCCAA National Championships.