WOMEN’S SOCCER

For the second time in four days, the Huntington women’s soccer team pushed one of the nation’s elite to the brink, falling just short in a 2-1 battle against No. 7 Grace College on Saturday night at King Stadium.

Facing back-to-back NAIA Top-10 opponents to open Crossroads League play, following Wednesday’s narrow 2-1 road battle at No. 2 Marian, the Foresters proved once again they can go stride-for-stride with the best.

“Again, this was a massive game for us. We decided to come out and play toe to toe against the conference defending champs and #7 in the country,” said Coach Keaton Albert. “We were flat in the first 15 minutes but worked through it and left it all on the field. The margin was tight again and we are showing we have the ability to battle and play anyone that we step on the field with. We trust God has our story and the sisterhood and bond will carry us through.”

Grace (8-1-1, 2-0-0 CL), which entered the contest having kept clean sheets in six of its seven victories, took an early advantage in the 11th minute when Sydney Millen found the back of the net off a feed from Joya Lienammer.

Huntington (5-2-1, 0-2-0 CL) refused to back down and answered with flair in the 24th minute. Setting up for a free kick roughly ten yards outside the penalty box, freshman midfielder Anastasiia Edemskaia unleashed a curling strike that soared over the defense and out of reach of Grace goalkeeper Ivy Cline, nestling cleanly inside the near-post corner. The equalizer mirrored the spot of Edemskaia’s first collegiate goal scored off a set piece just two weeks prior.

The Lancers regained the edge in the 65th minute when Annika Finch converted an assist from Nora Pollock. Grace earned a penalty kick in the 79th minute looking to extend the lead, but Audrey Abel’s attempt sailed wide, keeping Huntington within striking distance until the final whistle.

Junior goalkeeper Macie Sanders turned in a resilient 90-minute shift between the posts, recording six saves on eight shots on goal faced against a high-powered Grace attack. Senior midfielder Jadá-Mia Lee also contributed on the backline with a crucial defensive save in the 79th minute.

Grace finished the evening with a 16-4 advantage in total shots (8-2 on goal) and held an 8-2 margin in corner kicks.

Up Next
The Foresters hit the road on Wednesday, traveling to #16 Spring Arbor for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.