The Lake Forest College women's soccer team defeated visiting Grinnell College 4-0 in the Midwest Conference Tournament Final on Saturday and earned a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

After winning the league's regular season title, the Foresters were hosting the tournament and, for the second day in a row, took the early lead. Sophomore Izzy DeStefano's corner kick in the 12th minute was headed toward the goal by classmate Anna Hoffman. The Pioneer goalie made a diving save but senior Ella Manthey was there to kick in the loose ball for her fourth goal of the season.

The home team struck again four minute later and this time it was Hoffman scoring and an assist credited to Manthey. The latter's shot from the top of the box caromed off the crossbar and Hoffman headed the ball into the right side of the net to make the score 2-0. It was Hoffman's eighth goal of the year.

It looked like the Foresters would go into their locker room at halftime ahead by two but sophomore Anna Gracia settled the ball 25 yards out, split a pair of defenders, and blasted a shot into the left side of the goal. She now has six scores on the season.

After Lake Forest had a 7-2 advantage in shot attempts in the first half, the Pioneers outshot the home team 5-2 in the second. Forester junior goalkeeper Franca Finch made a pair of saves and several shot-preventing plays in the period and earned her eighth shutout of the year, matching the second-highest total in team history.

The final goal of the game was freshman Anna Diebold's second of the fall. She was just beyond the far post on a corner kick from the right side by junior Threresa Presberg. The ball reached her and she kicked it just inside the right post for the score.

Lake Forest improved to 11-3-5 while Grinnell finished its season at 10-4-5.

The MWC Tournament title is the Foresters' first since 2014 and fourth in program history. They also earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, which will begin next weekend. A selection show announcing the tournament field and game locations will air on NCAA.com Monday afternoon at 12:30.