A 4-1 Forester victory over Aurora University on Saturday tied the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Slaats Cup quarterfinal series and a 2-0 triumph in the 20-minute minigame sent Lake Forest through to the next round.

While the evening ended with a Forester celebration, it began with the Spartans scoring just 3:37 into the contest. After taking Friday night's series opener in overtime, Aurora out-shot the home team 9-7 in Saturday's opening period and led 1-0 when it was over.

The Foresters, however, evened the score during the first shift of the second period on an unassisted goal by sophomore forward Tallulah Bryant. While spinning and falling to the ice she slipped a shot past the Spartan goaltender at the 32-second mark.

Lake Forest had a 13-7 advantage in shots on goal in the second period but the score was still 1-1 going into the third.

What proved to be the game-winner also came from Bryant, who struck again at the 4:18 mark of the third. She took a centering pass from fellow sophomore forward Victoria Liu and fired in a shot from between the circles for her second score of the night and fourth this season.

Senior forward Anna McCluskey added to the lead less than two minutes later. Junior forward Emma Sweeney's shot was saved but McCluskey was there to put in the rebound for her fifth score of the season.

The final tally of the game came from senior forward Zoey Whittington with 4:07 remaining. It was her team-high 11th of the year.

Senior goaltender Donna Fowler turned away 20 of the Spartans 21 shots in goal, including the last 19, to earn the win.

Fowler also made 10 saves in the minigame to give the Foresters a series victory as well.

Junior forward Shannon Gibbons put the home team on top at the 8:27 mark and sophomore forward Ella Maher added to the lead with 3:05 on the clock.

The Foresters out-shot the Spartans 13-10 in the extra 20 minutes of play.

Lake Forest improved to 13-11-3 on the season while Aurora's 2024-25 campaign ends at 10-14-3.

The Foresters will now play a single semifinal game at league champion St. Norbert College next Saturday at 3:00 p.m.