By: A goal early in the first half stood up as the visiting Vikings came away with a 1-0 victory.
Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College women's soccer team had the better scoring chances much of the way, but didn't put a ball in the back of the net and ultimately fell to Lawrence University, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at England Stadium. The Vikings (6-4-0, 1-1-0 Midwest Conference) scored in the 17th minute to send the Lady Blues (3-6-2, 0-2-1 MWC) to the loss.
Though Illinois College had good chances going forward in the first half and earned four corner kicks to none for Lawrence, the Vikings were the team that cashed in to take the lead. Casey Merkle got the game-winner for LU, reaching a ball down the left wing just ahead of IC goalie
Cat Solberg and chipping the keeper to the right corner of the goal.
Julie Weier gave chase but fell just a step short of reaching it before it crossed the line.
In the second half, Illinois College was without a doubt the more dangerous team.
Bianca Savarese hit the post with one shot attempt in the early minutes after halftime and later worked free of the entire Lawrence back line but sent a shot attempt directly at goalkeeper Patsy Kealey. The Lady Blues repeatedly found space to roam in the final third of the Vikings, but couldn't connect passes in the box to beat Kealey.
Of the 11 Illinois College shot attempts in the match, Savarese had eight of them with four on target.
Ally Kjellander,
Sarah Stover and
Ashley Sholmire had one shot each for IC. In goal, Solberg made 11 saves but suffered the loss to drop her record to 3-5-2 on the season.
The Lady Blues return to England Field tomorrow, kicking off with St. Norbert College at 11 a.m.
