Grace’s Cassidy Wasson works the ball ahead during a 2-0 win over Spring Arbor Wednesday night. (Photo provided by the Grace College Sports Information Department)

GRACE WOMEN 2, SPRING ARBOR 0

Grace’s women’s soccer team picked up another ranked victory, downing No. 18 Spring Arbor 2-0 on Wednesday.

The No. 17 Lady Lancers (13-2-1, 5-1-1 Crossroads League) used goals from Baylei Peters and Cassidy Wasson in a dismantling of the Cougars (7-4-4, 3-1-3 CL).

The game started at a quick pace despite the slick pitch. A slow, light drizzle turned into windy sheets of rain as the first half progressed.

No shot was taken for the first 10 minutes despite the fast pace, although Grace threatened early.

The Lady Lancers made two dangerous runs at SAU’s goal — once through Alexis Larimore and once through JJ Aalbue. But each time the pass into the penalty box did not find a striker.

Aalbue made another deep run through SAU’s defense and crossed to Liz Van Wormer, but her short-range shot missed the mark.

The Cougars did their best to threaten off the counterattack but were mostly limited to a handful of set pieces.

Grace held a 6-4 edge in shots before halftime and had all three corner kicks.

The second half was a clinic in possession soccer. The Lady Lancers controlled the ball for the vast majority of play, probing the Cougars’ backline and eventually breaking through with a pair of goals.

Ten minutes into the half, Sacia Hanson initiated an attack by dribbling through the middle of SAU’s defense. Corinne Villalobos then passed to Van Wormer, but her shot misfired.

Seven minutes later, Van Wormer put a well-placed cross into the box that seemed to sit in front of the goal for an eternity. But SAU’s goalkeeper gobbled up the loose ball just before Grace pounced on it.

A minute after that, Aalbue fired a low shot that was bobbled and then saved. Taylor Fort also had a high cross in the box toward Peters, but SAU’s goalkeeper did well to intercept the ball in the final instant.

In the 74th minute, the Cougars’ backline finally broke. Aalbue crossed toward goal, and Peters won the first touch. Her first shot under pressure was blocked and she fell to the turf. The ball floated towards Peters, and she alertly performed a bicycle kick while lying on the ground to put the ball into the back of the net.

The Cougars were unable to generate much of a response as Grace’s midfield and backline moved the ball in a quick, efficient manner.

In the 87th minute, Grace found an insurance goal. Van Wormer put a right-footed cross into the box. Wasson muscled out her defender and beat the goalkeeper with a shot to make the score 2-0.

SAU was almost completely silenced offensively in the second half. The Cougars’ only two shot attempts came in the final 95 seconds of the game, with both shots well outside the penalty box.

For the match, Grace owned a 13-6 shot edge. Grace also had four of the five corner kicks in the game.

Bethany Blackwood earned the shutout with four saves. She was guarded well by Lea Moessinger, Anna Kuhl, Hannah Tkacz, McKenna Cruz and Brooke Kohler.

Villalobos tried four shots, and Van Wormer shot three times.

SPRING ARBOR MEN 4, GRACE 2

Grace’s men’s soccer team came up empty in a match at No. 13 Spring Arbor on Wednesday.

The Lancers gave up their most goals of the season in a 4-2 defeat on the road to the Cougars (11-1-2, 6-0-1 Crossroads League).

The Cougars were particularly efficient in their chances, scoring their four goals with just six shots on goal. SAU held a slight 15-13 edge in shots, but Jacob Crull’s four goals were too much to overcome.

Crull scored a mere 35 seconds into the match to stun the Lancers (7-5-3, 1-4-2 CL). Grace managed to respond in the 34th minute.

Ulisses Miranda crossed to the back post, and Cody Boerema headed the ball to Talamas. Talamas took care of the rest, beating SAU’s goalkeeper to the near post to tie the game 1-1.

But the Cougars were swift in their response. SAU scored less than a minute later to take the lead for good.

Grace actually outshot SAU in the first half 8-6 but still trailed on the scoreboard 2-1.

It did not take long for the Cougars to add to their lead; SAU scored its third goal within two minutes of action after halftime, and the Cougars all but secured the win with a fourth goal in the 56th minute.

The Lancers had a consolation goal in the 89th minute when Jordan Jayapuram’s deep shot found the back of the net. But the damage was already done for Grace.

Boerema and Miranda shot four times to lead Grace’s attack, and Talamas shot twice.

The Lancers will look to get back on track Saturday, playing at St. Francis.