Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
HILBERT, Wisconsin – Grinnell College and Lake Forest College were winners in the Midwest Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament Quarterfinals as the Pioneers and Foresters each advanced on Tuesday afternoon.
The third-seeded Grinnell Pioneers took down sixth-seeded Knox College, 3-0, while No. 4 Lake Forest eliminated No. 5 Lawrence University 2-1.
Grinnell (13-4-1) scored twice in a span of three minutes in the opening half, taking a 2-0 lead into intermission. Demi Oni scored unassisted at 21:30 before Jake Lu followed with a goal from Oliver Klemm at 24:45. The Pioneers had a 15-1 shots advantage in the first frame.
Grinnell rounded out the scoring in the 84th minute with a goal by Klemm, with assists credited to Oni and Samuel Gojjam. The Pioneers had 24 shots in the match, led by Jack Pennachio with seven. Jack Alexander played all 90 minutes in goal and made one save.
Knox ends its season with a 4-8-5 record. Keservens Dera led the Prairie Fire with three shots, while Diogo Pereira had five saves.
Lake Forest (8-7-3) had a number of chances in the first half and finally broke through in the 42nd minute on a goal from Nathan Kostovetsky, assisted by Rocky Rabago. However, less than a minute later, Lawrence answered on a corner kick as Quill Tegenfeldt-Pfohman found the back of the net on a pass from Noud Geerdink. Each team had six shots apiece in the first half as the sides were deadlocked at one.
The Foresters grabbed the lead back in the 52nd minute as Tommy Sasfai connected on an assist from Mason Khamsouthavong. Lake Forest then hung on the rest of the way, fending off a number of Lawrence chances in the second half to secure the win.
Lake Forest had a narrow 14-13 edge in shots throughout the match. The Foresters were led by Kostovetsky who tallied three, while Conor Leuschke played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded two saves.
Lawrence ends its season at 10-5-2. Grayson Ogren and Tegenfeldt-Pfohman each had three shots to lead the Vikings, and Cristian Puebla recorded six saves.
Grinnell advances to play second-seeded Illinois College on Saturday, November 7 at 2 p.m., while Lake Forest draws top-seeded and weekend host Luther College at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Saturday’s winners advance to Sunday’s tournament final at 2 p.m.