Grace’s JJ Aalbue was named one of four NCCAA First Team All-Americans for women’s soccer. Photo courtesy Jeff Nycz, Mid-South Images

By Josh Neuhart
Grace College Sports Information

WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s soccer team earned a number of national postseason awards from the NCCAA and NAIA.

Bethany Blackwood, Lea Moessinger, Victoria Lucido and JJ Aalbue were named NCCAA First Team All-American. Alexis Larimore was an NCCAA Second Team All-American.

Aalbue was also honorable mention for NAIA All-American.

At the NCCAA regional level, Michael Voss was named the Region Coach of the Year, and Aalbue was the Region Player of the Year.

Blackwood, Moessinger, Lucido, Aalbue, Larimore and Sacia Hanson were all named First Team All-Region.

Blackwood played every minute in goal for Grace this year. She made 81 saves and surrendered just 0.93 goals per game, recording nine shutouts on the season.

Moessinger was ultra-reliable, shifting positions across midfield and defense as one of the steadiest players in the lineup. She started all 19 matches and produced two goals and four assists, including scoring a goal in the NCCAA championship game against Dallas Baptist.

Aalbue battled injury to tie for the team lead with eight goals and five assists. She was dynamic in conference play with four goals and an assist in seven games played.

Lucido slid into a starting midfielder role in her first season with Grace. She handled the role well with five goals and a team-high eight assists. Three of her five goals were game winners.

Larimore tied Aalbue for the team lead by scoring eight goals. The speedy forward started in 17 games and had a team-high four game-winning goals.

Academically, Grace had eight players earn Scholar-Athlete status. Liz Aalbue, Taylor Binkerd, Ellie Harlan, Riley Koch, Brooke Kohler and Paiton Miller joined Blackwood and Larimore as NCCAA Scholar-Athletes.

The Lady Lancers enjoyed a memorable season under Coach Voss. Grace reached the championship match of the NCCAA National Championships (falling in overtime to NCAA Div. II No. 1-ranked Dallas Baptist) during the fall portion of the season. In the spring, Grace qualified for the NAIA National Championships. The Lady Lancers won an opening round match in the tournament, marking their third straight trip to NAIAs in the process.