The Lake Forest College women's soccer team defeated visiting College of St. Scholastica 2-1 in overtime on Saturday for the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. The Foresters will host Aurora University in the second round of the tourney on Sunday.
The winning goal was scored by sophomore Nina Perkkio, who received a pass on the right side of the box from junior Holly Lesperance and tried to cross it to junior Michelle Greeneway in front of the goal. The ball deflected off a St. Scholastica defender and into the goal with 2:35 remaining in the extra period. It was Perkkio's eighth score of the season.
Lake Forest also scored the game's first goal at the 37:20 mark. Perkkio cut toward the middle of the field from the right side and sent the ball toward the far post. Greeneway cut in front of the goalie and kneed the ball into the goal for her 33rd score of the year.
St. Scholastica, however, converted a penalty kick opportunity to tie the score with just 1:40 remaining in the first half.
The Foresters outshot the Saints 18-5 in the opening period and 10-2 in the second half. Their second shot of overtime was the game-winner.
Lake Forest sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Tenuta made a save in each half and improved to 17-0-0 with a 0.87 goals against average on the season.
The Foresters are now 21-0-0 on the year. St. Scholastica finished the season 15-7-1.
Aurora University also prevailed 2-1 in overtime in the other first round game on Farwell Field.
Lake Forest will host Aurora in the second round at 1:00 Sunday afternoon. The winner will be one of just 16 teams in the country to advance to next weekend's play.
