Article written by Matt Shelton, Graceland University Sports Information Director

Lamoni, IA- Graceland kicked off their road to playoff glory in style at Rasmussen Field in front of a boisterous home crowd.  Dakota Wesleyan of Mitchell, South Dakota, despite a strong, physical effort, were not able to match Jacket offensive firepower on the field and after a rough few minutes to start for the GU, the Graceland squad proceeded to win 4-1 and advance in the NAIA tourney.

The Jackets got off to a slow start offensively, as the Dakota Wesleyan side managed to keep the ball on the Graceland half for much of the first fifteen minutes.   But the Tigers could not manage to close on the Graceland goal, managing only 3 shots in the first period, none on goal. The Jackets got a shot of life as the first fifteen closed, going on the attack with excellent results. 

Freshman Ayaka Sawa (Tochigi, Japan) scored off her body on a Shay Eskridge (Rowlett, TX) corner kick in the 17^th minute, starting a series of GU forays into the Dakota Wesleyan backfield.  Graceland took seven shots, six on goal, in the first frame, and Ryanne Miller (Blue Springs, MO) nailed a penalty kick from short range after a foul by the Tiger keeper in the 38^th minute.

Graceland emerged from half time firing, adding four shots on goal in the second period, two of which also found the back of the net.  Junior standout and HAAC MVP Chelsea Phillips (Granada Hills, CA) reminded the home crowd of how she had earned her honors this season by scoring two goals to seal the fate of Dakota Wesleyan late.  Phillips first goal, in the 58^th minute, came off of a Shay Eskridge assist and put the Jackets up 3-0.  The second was a smashing unassisted shot from close range to end the day's scoring in minute 65.

Between Phillips' strikes, however, the Tigers got on the board with a Drew Miller (Pierre, S.D.) goal on a Sarah Duff (Greensboro, N.C.) assist.

The Graceland defense around senior keeper Leslie Danner (Raytown, MO) was excellent as usual, with senior defender Sarah Sheahan (Georgetown, ON) in particular coming up big in Graceland's early struggles with Dakota Wesleyan threatening in their area.

"Our team showed their heart in the first round of the national playoffs by defeating a physical and fast Dakota Wesleyan team," said Coach Fred Wagenaar.  "Our defense kept us in the game, and our offense managed to knock a couple in to put the game away.  It was nice to be able to use our whole bench, so it was a real team win," he added, concluding: "We're very happy and excited to reach the Sweet 16 again, and we hope to continue our great run deep into the finals in Alabama."

As Coach Wagenaar noted, Graceland will proceed to the second round of the playoffs, held in Decatur, Alabama November 30^th-December 5^th.  Stay tuned to the Graceland athletic website for continuing coverage of the women's soccer team's quest for the NAIA Championship, and for all of Graceland athletics.