Lancers Net Five in Rout of No. 25 Bees
WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's soccer team secured its second NAIA Top 25 upset of the season on Saturday night.
The Lancers dismantled No. 25 St. Ambrose 5-0, improving to a perfect 6-0 on the season.
Grace has outscored opponents by a staggering 38-0 this year, continuing to lead the NAIA in goals, assists and points.
Grace set the tone early, possessing the ball for nearly three straight minutes to kick off the match. The run of possession ended with a strong chance from Audrey Abel, but her shot attempt went high.
The Lancers fired three shots in the first five minutes during an early flurry.
The first half was a midfield battle for large portions. Grace had a much better portion of possession and had the only offensive chances for most of the half.
The Lancers had the first nine shots of the half. Nora Pollock nearly had the game's first goal with 12:31 left in the first half. She placed a right-footed shot near the top of the goal frame, but the Bees' goalkeeper made an impressive one-handed save to push the shot above the crossbar.
The breakthrough moment came with three minutes to go in the half. Pollock picked out Abel at the top edge of the penalty box. Abel drilled her shot beyond the reach of SAU's goalkeeper, handing Grace the initial lead.
The Lancers entered halftime with the lead and took nine of the 11 shots in the half. The Bees' only two shots were deep efforts in the final two minutes of the half.
In the second half, Grace made no doubt about the outcome. The Lancers produced four goals to turn the match into a rout.
In the 63rd minute, the Lancers found an insurance goal. Rylee Burns collected a pass on the right side of the penalty box. She showed patience and vision, finding Joya Lienammer open in the middle of the box, and Lienammer placed her shot inside the far post.
Lightning struck twice as Grace scored again a minute later. Pollock picked out Rylee Burns for another goal, stunning the Bees with a 3-0 lead.
St. Ambrose had little answer for the Lancers' offense as the second half continued. Cassidy Felger, the NAIA's leading goalscorer, added to her tally with two goals before the final whistle.
Felger's first goal came after several well-timed passes by the Lancers. Abby Hodkin connected with Ellie Grieser at the top of the box, and she immediately touched a pass to Felger who pushed her shot into the back of the net.
Felger netted again just four minutes after her first tally. Grace struck with speed and precision through the heart of SAU's defense. Felger's second goal was also Grieser's second assist in a row.
The Bees could not generate a dangerous moment in response as Grace's possession and ruthless attacking took control of the match.
Grace ended the match with a 19-4 shot advantage, and the Lancers had the only five corner kicks of the contest.
The Lancers posted their sixth straight shutout to start the year. Ivy Cline made one save across 90 minutes to collect the clean sheet.
Felger scored twice, extending her tally to 11 goals on the season. Pollock and Grieser each had two assists, and Burns had a goal and an assist. Felger is the NAIA's leader in goals, and Pollock is the leader in assists.
The Lancers will head to Kentucky for their next set of matches. Grace will play Lindsey Wilson on Friday before traveling to No. 5 Cumberlands on Sept. 16. Grace's next home game is Sept. 20 against Shawnee State.