The LU women’s soccer team stepped up to the St. Norbert squad Sunday and showed them what the “Lawrence Difference” actually is. Part academics, part institutional religious independence, and mostly hard work on the field, “the Difference” came through in the form of a key Lawrence victory.
In the first half, Annemarie Exarhos showed pinpoint shot accuracy by lofting the ball over the Green Knight goalkeeper’s head twice within one minute. The first came from 40 yards out after a pass combo from Julianne Eggum and Jackie Bean. The second, 51 seconds later, was nearly identical to the first. This one, unassisted, sprang from a free kick.
The Vikes showed good form all game. Stringing multiple passes together on give and go plays that kept St. Norbert looking from behind. Indeed, the passes were crisp and the play fierce, but it was the aggression that stood out. The girls had the desire to come away with the upper hand in 50-50 balls.
This is the sort of play that the team must sustain in order to make the Midwest Conference playoffs. With Carroll, Grinnell, and Lake Forest already clinching tournament berths, the Vikings will need to come through with wins in their next two games against Illinois College and, most importantly, Monmouth.
The women’s game is looking pretty solid right now and if Jesus could indeed turn water into wine, then the Vikings should be able to pull off two victories setting up a possible playoff berth.
Women’s soccer beats Norbert
