The Lake Forest College men's soccer team defeated visiting Knox College 2-1 in the semifinals of the Midwest Conference Tournament on Friday. Senior Mahir Mameledzija scored the Foresters' second goal, which turned out to be his seventh game-winner of the season.
Mameledzija was also credited with an assist on the first goal of the game. His shot on goal was saved but the rebound was kicked in by sophomore Brett Grijalva. The goal occurred with just 10 seconds remaining in the opening period and was Grijalva's first of the season.
Lake Forest out-shot the Prairie Fire 10-2 but led by just one at halftime. The Foresters also had a 6-2 advantage in shots in the second half.
Mameledzija netted his 19th goal of the year at the 61:06 mark with sophomore Dylan Hartman picking up the assist.
Knox got on the scoreboard on a penalty kick with 12:35 to play in the contest.
The Foresters improved to 13-6-0 overall this season while Knox finished the year with the same record.
Lake Forest will now take on St. Norbert College in Saturday's tournament final at noon. After 110 minutes of scoreless soccer against Carroll University in the other semifinal, the Green Knights advanced 4-3 on penalty kicks.
The winner of Saturday's final will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
