Grace Men’s Soccer: Lancers Sweep CL Awards
WINONA LAKE – The final Player of the Week awards from the Crossroads League both went to Grace’s men’s soccer team.
Damon Binkley was named the Offensive Player of the Week, and Kurt Hamlin was the Defensive Player of the Week.
Both players made key contributions to Grace’s Crossroads League Tournament championship on Saturday; the Lancers secured their first championship since 1992 and advanced to the NAIA National Championship for the first time since 1982 thanks to a 4-3 overtime win at Spring Arbor.
Hamlin racked up 11 saves at No. 21 Spring Arbor. He made several late stops in regulation to preserve the 3-3 scoreline, and Grace won the match 4-3 in overtime.
Binkley scored two goals on Saturday. He scored the first goal of the match. In the second half, he tied the game 3-3 in the 70th minute to keep Grace’s hopes alive. Nikola Djordjevic won the game for Grace with a goal to remember in overtime.
The Lancers will travel to No. 5 Baker in the NAIA Opening Round on Saturday.