Lake Forest Takes Season Opener at Illinois College

Photo by Emily Baer
Photo by Emily Baer

The Forester women's soccer team rolled to a 3-1 victory at Illinois College on Saturday in the squad's first game of the year.

Lake Forest's first goal of the season came from sophomore midfielder Alyssa Xanos on a penalty kick with 4:14 remaining in the opening period. Sophomore forward Raven Dziedzinski was taken down from behind in the box to earn the opportunity.

Despite attempting 22 shots and putting 14 of them on goal in the game's first 45 minutes, the Foresters led by just one at halftime.

The margin doubled just 78 seconds into the second half when junior midfielder Julia Larson blasted in a shot from 25 yards out. Dziedzinski was knocked down in the box again less than a minute later, setting up another penalty kick that was sent into the right side of the goal by senior defender Maria Perkkio.

The Lady Blues' only score of the afternoon came on another penalty kick with 37:16 on the clock. It was the home team's first and only shot of the contest.

Forester junior goalkeeper Maggie Kersting played the entire game and improved to 10-4-1 in her career.

The loss evened Illinois College's record at 1-1-0.

The same two teams will meet again at Lake Forest on Wednesday, April 7, at 4:30 p.m.