Lake Forest College

The Lake Forest men's soccer program found its second win with stellar defending and an early goal from Kristian Kopacz to defeat Dominican.

Although Dominican pressed well early on, a counterattack put Lake Forest up in the seventh minute. Gustavo Machado lifted a ball into Kopacz, and after an error by the Dominican back line, Kopacz found himself through on goal and slotted the ball calmly into the bottom right corner. 

The Foresters then locked down in the defensive half, holding the Stars without a shot for the first 27 minutes of play. When Dominican finally got a shot off, it was a simple save for senior Andrew Swacha, and Lake Forest held on to a 1-0 lead at the break. 

Coming out of halftime, it was more of the same for the Lake Forest defense. Anchored by center backs Noah Jesus Rosborough, Taelin Stanfield, and Tommy Sasfai, the Dominican offense found no success. 

In the 57th minute, a sliding challenge inside the Dominican penalty area on Rocky Rabago led to a penalty for the Foresters. Machado stepped up and converted the kick to give the Foresters a 2-0 lead. However, the story of the game remained the Lake Forest defense. The back line held the Stars to one shot in the second half, and none in the final 40 minutes of play. Conor Leuschke did not have to make a save in the second half as the Foresters finished off a second consecutive clean sheet. 

Lake Forest remains at home for another match on Tuesday, Sept. 15, hosting Gustavus Adolphus College at Mohr Field. Kickoff against the Golden Gusties is at 4:30 p.m.