The Lake Forest College men's soccer team hosted and defeated Edgewood College 4-0 on Sunday in the season opener for both teams. Sophomore Themis Mourikes assisted on each of the Foresters' first two goals.
Mourikes intercepted a pass and quickly sent the ball ahead to senior Mahir Mameledzija, who beat a defender and the goalie for his 54th career goal, giving the Foresters the lead just seven minutes into the contest.
Both teams attempted seven shots in the first half but Edgewood put four of them on goal, twice as many as the home team. Lake Forest junior goalkeeper Ian Taylor stopped all four in the opening period and two more in the second for his second career shutout.
Mourikes recorded his second assist of the game when he set up senior Jordan Hartman at the 61:51 mark. It was the 13th career score for Hartman.
Freshman Ellis Rutini earned his first career point at 68:13 when his pass was deflected by an Eagle defender but still found its way to Mameledzija, who netted his second goal of the day. Mameledzija, who led the nation with 27 goals a year ago, how trails Bryan Porto's program record of 61 career scores by just six.
Lake Forest closed out the scoring at 77:40 when junior Hugh Watanabe found the back of the net off a cross from sophomore Sakhile Nkambule.
The Foresters out-shot Edgewood 8-5 in the second half and 15-12 in the contest.
Lake Forest will host Aurora University Monday at 5:00 p.m. The teams were supposed to open the season on Friday but the game was postponed due to severe weather in the area.
