The Lake Forest College women's hockey team won its 2025-26 home opener Friday night, a 3-1 victory over Aurora University.

The Foresters started the scoring five minutes into the contest when freshman forward Sophie Smith struck for the second time this season. The goal was set up by junior defenseman Kate Brennan who circled behind the Spartan goal before finding junior forward Jasmine Kohl in the left circle. Kohl's shot was saved but Smith was there to put in the rebound and give the home team the lead.

That lead doubled eight minutes later, thanks to junior forward Ella Maher's second goal of the year. She stole the puck from an Aurora defenseman just inside the Foresters' defensive zone, out-sprinted her victim to the other end, and beat the goalie stick side to make the score 2-0.

Lake Forest had a 10-3 advantage in shots in the opening period and led 2-0 going into the second. The Foresters out-shot the Spartans in13-4 in the second but actually saw their lead shrink when they finally surrendered a goal after more than 200 minutes of play this season.

Despite finishing the game with a 41-12 edge in shots, the home team did not add to its one-goal lead until the final minute of the contest. The Spartans pulled their goaltender with 2:05 remaining Forester freshman forward Alex Luke found the empty net with 58.2 seconds on the clock. Her second goal of the year was assisted by Brennan.

Junior goaltender Chelsea Dennis needed to make just 11 saves to earn the victory.

The Foresters also defeated the Spartans 2-0 Thursday night and the series sweep gave them a 4-0 overall record and 2-0 mark in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play on the young season. Aurora fell to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the league.

Lake Forest will host Lawrence University next Friday night at 7:00 before taking on the same opponent in Appleton, Wisconsin, Saturday at 8:00 p.m.