Lawrence women’s soccer advances in Midwest Conference tournament

(LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS)  LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Lawrence University women’s soccer team displayed a dominant defense Friday and rode that to a 1-0 victory over Grinnell College in the semifinals of the Midwest Conference Tournament at Mohr Field.
Lawrence didn’t allow a shot on goal and held Grinnell to just one shot for the match. The Vikings fired 13 shots against Grinnell and scored late in the opening half for the only score of the contest.
“In all areas of the play, I felt we were strong and disciplined and it was a good team performance,” said Lawrence coach Joe Sagar, who has his team in its first MWC Tournament championship game since 2010. “We were nervous at times because of the (score), but we felt like we were in control.”
Lawrence faces Lake Forest College, the team the Vikings tied for the conference’s regular-season title, in Saturday’s championship game at 1:30 p.m. Lake Forest defeated Beloit College 1-0 in the other semifinal.
The game was scoreless when Jessica Smith played a ball forward to Kylie Melonis. Melonis got loose and was able to get a cross to Natalie Linebarger, who pounded the ball into the back of net from about seven yards out to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead at the 39:45 mark.
Lawrence kept pressing the attack in an attempt to double the advantage, but all the Vikings could do was come close as Lawrence hit the crossbar three times.
“From the front our press was very good. Our midfielders were very good in the air and our back line was ruthless in their approach to defending,” Sagar said.
The back line of Smith, Maya Alberts and Kate Noonan kept everything in front of them, and Lawrence goalkeeper Ella Lysne did not have to make a save in the match. Peyton Dixon made eight saves for the Pioneers.
Lawrence improves to 14-4-2 to set a school record for victories in a season. Grinnell finishes the season at 8-6-3.
“We’re going to take a moment to enjoy today and then come back,” Sagar said. “I think it’s a battle of the best defensive team and the team with the most potent offense. It’s going to be a true battle tomorrow.”