Lake Forest Thunders Past Women’s Soccer, 4-1

Box Score

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Illinois College women's soccer team suffered a 4-1 loss to Lake Forest College on Sunday, a result that put the Foresters back atop the Midwest Conference standings. For IC, a fourth consecutive loss dropped the team to 4-9-2 (1-5-1 MWC) while Lake Forest improved to 12-2-2 (7-0-1 MWC). 

Though Ashley Sholmire forced Lake Forest goalkeeper Kaylee Price into an early save, it was the Foresters who notched the first goal of the match with less than seven minutes gone. Reigning MWC Offensive Player of the Year Michelle Greeneway scored her 23rd goal on an assist from Katelyn Hronek to take a 1-0 lead early. To IC's credit, the Foresters weren't able to expand on that lead the rest of the half and the teams went to the break in a one-goal contest. Cat Solberg made five of her eight saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the game close.

The all-important second goal of the match came from Sholmire, tying the proceedings up at 1-1 in the 49th minute. The goal was the eighth of the season for the IC sophomore and the first goal allowed by the Foresters in more than 260 minutes of action. A minute later, Solberg made a save on a Greeneway header to keep the match knotted with 40 minutes remaining in regulation.

Lake Forest broke the deadlock in the 60th minute with Holly Lesperance scoring off an assist from Greeneway to make it 2-1. Three minutes later, Kayla Wuest scored unassisted to double the lead to 3-1 and Greeneway capped a rough passage of play by the Lady Blues with her 24th goal of the season in the 67th minute to close the scoring. IC would not manage another shot the rest of the way.

Sholmire had all three Illinois College shots in the match and all three of them were on target, forcing Price into a pair of first half saves. Solberg ended with eight saves and Samantha Vacek was in goal for the last 20 minutes, making one save.

Illinois College will be back home at England Stadium on Oct. 24 for Senior Day beginning at 3 p.m. The Lady Blues will honor Jessica Martinez, Bianca Savarese, Cat Solberg and Julie Weier in the last home match of their collegiate careers.