By: A sixth consecutive win was tough to come by, but Joe Tooley’s header in the second half was all IC needed on Saturday.
Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's soccer team scored a second half goal to lift them past Lawrence University, 1-0, on Saturday at England Stadium. The Blueboys' victory puts their winning streak at six matches and improves their record to 9-2-0 (3-0-0 Midwest Conference) The loss puts Lawrence at 1-8-1 (0-2-0 MWC).
Shots were hard to come by in the first half with strong winds blowing the ball around and making it hard to gain solid possession. Fouls, on the other hand, were all too often. The teams combined fifteen first half fouls, setting the tone for what would be a rugged second half. After 45 minutes of action, goalkeeper Joe Krivit has recorded the lone save in a 0-0 stalemate.
The second period was rough from the start, but the teams did manage to create more chances. After attempting four shots in the first half, Illinois College found six chances to shoot in the second half. The goal that won it came suddenly out of a routine-looking cross into the box.
Austin Cearlock controlled the ball in midfield and crossed a ball long into the middle of the 18-yard box with only
Joe Tooley up there to fight for it. Tooley outmuscled the Lawrence defender, however, flicking it backwards and high up over the goalie, who had come off his line momentarily.
That one chance was all the Blueboys needed.
Ty Clearwater only had to make one save, but it was an important one, batting away a shot attempt that was low to his right when the match was still scoreless. Tooley and
Ben Cochran each had three shots in the match for the Blueboys with two of them coming on goal.
Luke Davis had the other shot on target for IC.
Illinois College hosts St. Norbert tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at England Stadium, looking to build on a start to MWC play that has it as one of the final two unbeaten teams in the conference standings.
