Senior captain Landon Edwards passes the ball.
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Athletics
After a month of preseason, the Lawrence men’s and women’s soccer teams begin conference play this weekend as both teams travel to Knox College on Saturday and Illinois Collegeon Sunday.
On the women’s side, they are coming out of non-conference play 1-4 with their one win against Lakeland. Historically, Lawrence has a 20-2 lead against the Knox Prairie Fire, Knox winning the last two meetings. Against Illinois College, Lawrence also leads the series 16-2-1, the Lady Blues having defeated Lawrence in 2016 at their last meeting. The Vikings have had a 14-day break in their schedule with only practices. As the conference season begins, the Vikings will look for leadership in their captains, seniors Lara Frankson and Ryan Berkley, as well as junior Mari Hubanks. Other key contributors are freshman and goalie Katlyn Seifert and sophomore Danielle Dixon.
On the men’s side, the Vikings are coming out of non-conference play 1-5, also having their one win against Lakeland. Historically speaking, Lawrence holds a 12-9-1 lead in the series, but Knox has won the last four meetings. Against Illinois College, Lawrence holds a 13-6-1 lead in the series. The Vikings defeated Illinois College 4-1 a season ago. The Vikings have only scored two goals in the last five matches and have been shut out four times. The Vikings will look to seniors and captains Lewis Berger, Nathan Brase and Landon Edwards for leadership and guidance as the conference season is underway. Other key contributors are juniors Jawad Wliedat and Ryan Leonard, freshman and standout Nicholas Jatta and freshman and goalie Julien Riviere. Best of luck to our soccer teams as they begin their conference season this weekend.
