Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
HILBERT, Wisconsin – Lawrence University and Grinnell College each advanced to the Midwest Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament Semifinals thanks to quarterfinal wins on Tuesday evening.
No. 3 Lawrence rallied past No. 6 Knox College 2-1, while fourth-seeded Grinnell got past fifth-seeded Beloit College 1-0.
Knox (7-10-1) struck first in the sixth minute as Eliana Juarez assisted on a goal by Analeis Ming to claim the early lead. The Prairie Fire had just three shots in the first half but took a 1-0 lead into intermission on the strength of eight saves by Bri Mahoney.
Lawrence (12-2-5) totaled 14 shots in the second half and finally broke through in the 84th minute on a penalty kick goal by Kate Noonan. With just over three minutes remaining in the game, Ava Elders’ game-winning goal off a pass from Hannah Kalt gave the Vikings the 2-1 victory.
Lawrence had a 31-3 advantage in shots and totaled 13 corner kicks to Knox’s two. Elders and Ava Bedan led the Vikings with six shots apiece. Mahoney made 10 stops in goal playing all 90 minutes, as three Prairie Fire players each had a shot in the match: Natalia Nuno, Aniela Rossi and Ming.
Grinnell (7-9-2) and Beloit were locked in a 0-0 stalemate throughout the first 85+ minutes of the contest, though Grinnell had a 9-2 advantage in shots in the opening 45 minutes and produced a pair of corner kicks. With just over four minutes left in the contest, Sarah Travis scored the game’s only goal off of an assist by Teya Lochridge. That tally held up as the Pioneers advanced to Friday’s semifinal with a 1-0 win.
Grinnell had a 17-2 advantage in shots, including a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. The Pioneers also had four corner kicks. Lochridge led GC with five shots (four on goal) while Peyton Dixon made two saves in goal.
Beloit ends its season at 5-11-1. Grace Ramel and Maggie Wood each had shots for the Bucs, who got seven saves from Sophia Dietz.
Lawrence advances to play second-seeded Lake Forest College on Friday, November 6 at 2 p.m., while Grinnell will battle top-seeded and weekend host Luther College at 11 a.m. on Friday. Friday’s winners advance to Saturday’s tournament final at 2 p.m.