The Lake Forest College men's soccer team began the 2014 season with a 2-1 double overtime victory over visiting Willamette University on Friday. Forester freshman Elyas Ingram scored the game-winning goal in his collegiate debut.
Just seconds after the start of the second overtime, Ingram stole the ball 45 yards from the Willamette goal and attacked the right side of the box. He tried crossing the ball to junior Brett Grijalva, but a Bearcat defender inadvertently deflected it into the goal just 13 seconds into the period.
Lake Forest trailed 1-0 at halftime after surrendering a penalty kick goal at the 21:53 mark.
The home team tied the score just 2:57 into the second half. Freshman Stefan Speno played the ball into the box from nearly midfield and sophomore Ellis Rutili was able to receive it off his chest. A Willamette defender got his foot in the way as Rutili was settling the ball but junior Jeremiah Erzen was there to kick it into the bottom right corner of the net. It was Erzen's first career goal.
Forester freshman goalkeeper Erik Sanetra made one save and was consistently in position to help stop the Bearcats from generating scoring opportunities all game long. He earned the victory in his collegiate debut.
Lake Forest had a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal in the first half and a 7-3 edge in the second. Ingram's game-winner was the only shot in either overtime period.
The Foresters will be back out on Farwell Field Sunday afternoon when they host the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at 1:30 p.m.
