JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's soccer squad opened Midwest Conference play in style, posting a 4-1 victory over Lawrence on Saturday at England Stadium.

The victory moved IC to 4-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in league play. The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season and are now 3-1-2 and 0-1-0.

IC 4 LU 1
The Blueboys employed their quick-strike offense as Wyatt Gerstenslager got IC on the board 7:03 into the match off an assist from Kristofer Ruiz. IC padded the lead just over 14 minutes later when J'Aiden Cranwell-Meneses scored off a feed from Carter Uhlmann to make it 2-0, which would be the score at halftime.

The Vikings got on the board at the 64:36 mark, but IC answered in a big way. Elijah Bunda scored with an assist from Joey Hernandez at 77:58 before Cranwell-Meneses closed out he scoring for the day at 79:31.

The Blueboys out-shot Lawrence, 21-4, on the day, and Cranwell-Meneses had a team-high six. Gerstenslager added three.

TJ Esseily went the distance in goal, recording two saves to earn the victory.

Up Next
The Blueboys are back at England Stadium on Tuesday when they welcome Monmouth to town for a Midwest Conference contest that kicks off at 7:00 p.m.