Grace Excels in NAIA Second Round Win

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's soccer team produced a statement scoreline in the NAIA Second Round on Saturday.

The seventh-seeded Lancers sank Southern Oregon 5-0, punching their ticket to the NAIA's "Sweet Sixteen."

The final 16 teams will play out the rest of the bracket in Pensacola, Fla. Grace's next opponent is 10th-seeded Truett McConnell. The two teams will battle in the Round of 16 on Dec. 2 in Florida.

Saturday's game saw Grace's trademarked possession attack eventually wear down Southern Oregon. The Lancers scored the go-ahead goal before halftime before racking up four goals in the second half.

The match started in thrilling fashion. Grace nearly scored five minutes into the game. Cassidy Felger tried a shot from the right side of the penalty box, but her shot bounced off the left goalpost.

SOU immediately charged back into their offensive end and earned a penalty kick. Ivy Cline made a critical save on the PK attempt, keeping the Raiders off the scoreboard.

The match remained scoreless for the first 35 minutes despite Grace taking 11 shots before halftime.

The breakthrough moment came in the 37th minute. Abby Hodkin led Rylee Burns with a pass, and Burns's cross was tucked in by Felger for the eventual game-winning goal.

Neither team produced a shot after Felger's goal as the match reached halftime. Grace led 1-0 at the break and had an 11-3 shot advantage. Six of Grace's shots were on goal.

The second half saw Grace resume its dominance in possession. The Lancers held the ball consistently in SOU's end of the field, but Grace struggled to find an insurance goal.

Midway into the half, Audrey Abel nearly scored when her shot from distance struck the crossbar.

She wouldn't have to wait long to score, however, finding Grace's second goal in the 74th minute. A well-worked attack resulted in a pass from Rosalie Gefrorer to Abel. Abel placed her shot perfectly inside the far post, doubling Grace's lead.

Within 10 minutes of Abel's goal, the Lancers piled in three more goals.

Abby Hodkin struck twice in a three-minute span, and Felger added her second goal, resulting in the final 5-0 scoreline.

On Grace's third goal, Felger fired a clean shot from inside the box, putting her shot underneath the diving goalkeeper with 13 minutes remaining.

Hodkin scored both of her goals within the next six minutes. Her first goal was a volley on a first touch in the box in the 80th minute. 

Her second goal came three minutes later. Gefrorer lofted a pass into a dangerous position, forcing SOU's defense to scramble. Hodkin took advantage, launching a brilliant strike just under the crossbar and above the leaping goalkeeper.

Grace finished the match with a 20-6 lead in shots fired; 11 of Grace's shots were on target. 

Ivy Cline made three saves to collect another postseason clean sheet for Grace. The Lancers have racked up 16 shutouts on the season.

Hodkin produced two goals and an assist, and Felger netted twice.

The Lancers are making their third trip to the NAIA's final site in team history, all occurring under head coach Michael Voss.