The Forester women's soccer team hosted and defeated Illinois College 4-0 on Sunday to clinch a spot in the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament. Lake Forest sophomore Michelle Greeneway scored three times in the game and now has a program record 23 goals on the season.
Greeneway's first score gave the home team a 1-0 lead at the 35:51 mark. Freshman Cara Durgin played the ball back to classmate Courtney Kehrmann along the right sideline and she crossed it in front of the goal, where Greeneway headed it in to break the previous team record of 20 goals set by current senior Becky Esrock in 2009.
The second score was set up by a pass into the box by sophomore Sam Hills. An Illinois College defender tried to head the ball out of trouble but it traveled just a few yards to Forester sophomore Fiona Jessup, who used her head to send the ball back toward the Lady Blue goal. Greeneway was in position and headed in her second goal of the game at 43:27.
Lake Forest out-shot the visitors 9-3 in the first period and led 2-0 at halftime. The Foresters attempted 11 shots to the Lady Blues' six in the final 45 minutes.
Greeneway scored again at 65:30 to complete her fourth hat trick in the last five games, fifth this season, and sixth of her career. Junior Emily Keast started the play along the left sideline and passed the ball into the middle of the field, where freshman Lindsay Hartup sent it ahead and to Greeneway who was charging in from the left side. Greeneway kicked it in for her 39th career goal, tying Esrock for third place in program history.
Freshman Cara Durgin closed out the scoring with 15:33 to play in the contest after receiving a beautiful through ball in the box from junior Megan O'Connor. It was Durgin's second goal this season.
Forester freshman goalkeeper Rachel Tenuta made five saves while holding the Lady Blues scoreless for the game's first 72 minutes and 37 seconds. Classmate Caroline Hirsch added one save in the final 17:23 to secure the team's fifth shutout this season.
Lake Forest is now 12-4-1 overall this season and 6-2-1 in conference play. With one league game remaining on their schedule, the Foresters have clinched at least the #3 seed in the MWC Tournament November 8-9 at league champion St. Norbert College.
Illinois College fell to 7-9-2 overall and the Lady Blues finished the season 3-6-1 in the MWC.
The Foresters will close out the regular season next Saturday at noon against visiting Lawrence University.
