A second-half
Ella Chicone goal pushed Lake Forest and Carthage into a 1-1 draw, extending the Foresters' unbeaten run to start the year.
The two teams traded chances in the early stages of the match. Carthage forced a reaction save out of
Sara Swenson, who denied the Firebirds after a shot from 10 yards out. The Foresters responded, as
Maggie Balas fired two shots that the Carthage keeper denied.
The Firebirds found the first goal of the match in the 40th minute on a breakaway, and Lake Forest trailed 1-0 heading into the half. The Firebirds' score marked the first time that the Foresters have conceded in 578 minutes of soccer.
The second half didn't provide much offense for either side, as the two teams combined for six shots in the first 35 minutes of the second frame. However,
Ella Chicone found an opening after a missed clearance on a
Veronica Presberg free kick, and the Foresters tied the game.
With 10 minutes left in the match, the two teams pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages.
Annabelle Schroeder made a run into space behind the Carthage back line in the 85th minute, but dragged her shot inches wide of the far post. Another late chance found the foot of
Keighan Whitlock, but she could not convert and the game finished 1-1.
Lake Forest continues the road stretch with a match at Cornell College on Saturday. Kickoff for the Foresters' first Midwest Conference game of the season is at 1:30 p.m.
