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Maggie Balas goal and assist pushed Lake Forest women's soccer to a 2-0 victory over Lawrence.
After Lawrence got off to a quick start offensively, Lake Forest settled in on the road and controlled possession in the middle of the first half. The Vikings had a counterattack in the 24th minute, but the Foresters rallied on defense to deny the opportunity.
In the 27th minute, Lake Forest played
Maggie Balas out wide, but a touch by the Lawrence goalkeeper pushed the cross out of a dangerous area. The Foresters got a breakthrough in the 32nd minute, after Balas touched home a deflected
Keighan Whitlock shot on the goal line to give Lake Forest a 1-0 lead.
In the minute that followed, Lawrence responded with a chance at the top of the box that
Sara Swenson denied. After scoring the first goal, Balas created the second for the Foresters, beating a defender down the left flank before sending the ball across the six-yard box for
Ella Chicone to tap it home and give the Foresters a 2-0 lead at half.
Lawrence controlled play in the early stages of the second half. Swenson continued to make saves, and Lake Forest hit the underside of the crossbar on a lone offensive chance. Swenson stepped up again in the 60th minute, making another save to keep the game in favor of the visitors. The two teams couldn't garner any clear chances in the final half-hour, and Lake Forest finished the game with a 2-0 victory.
The Foresters remain on the road with a trip to Notre Dame, Ind. to face Saint Mary's College this Saturday. Kickoff against the Belles is set for 3 p.m. Eastern.
