The Lawrence University men’s soccer team has had eight games that have ended in ties or one-goal losses this season. Those close games have been the difference between a possible winning season ending in a trip to the conference tournament and the losing season that the Vikings have had.
Lawrence could not win in a close game last weekend against St. Norbert, who will be heading to the conference tournament. St. Norbert pulled ahead early in the game with a goal by Greg Schmidt at the nine-minute mark.
In the 13th minute, the Vikings tied up the score when sophomore Stephen Exharos snuck a free kick in past the defense, connecting with freshman Simon Newsom, who slotted home his second goal of the season.
Both teams would have opportunities to score again before the half, but neither team could convert, as the two goalkeepers combined to make eight saves in the half.
St. Norbert led off the second half with a 48th-minute score by senior forward Adam Sanchez, and despite several extremely good scoring chances, the Vikings would not score again, leaving the final score 2-1 in the Green Knights’ favor.
Junior captain Andy King was held out of the game due to receiving a red card in the Vikings’ previous game against Monmouth. “It’s tough to watch the team lose without being able to do anything about it,” said King. “I look forward to getting back out on the pitch for our season finale.”
King will be back for the Vikings’ final game of the season against UW-Superior, but senior captain Nico Walker will be forced to sit out of the final game after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season. The Vikings close out their season Halloween at UW-Superior.
Men’s soccer loses yet another close game
