APPLETON, Wis. – Not only did Grinnell College's women's soccer team gain a key victory in a battle of Midwest Conference top-tier squads Saturday, the Pioneers also added to their lengthy unbeaten streak.
 
Grinnell, which entered the contest in second place in the MWC, knocked off third-place Lawrence University 2-1 at the Banta Bowl. The win pushed Grinnell to 5-0-1 in the MWC and 7-1-4 overall as the Pioneers moved into the league lead (former leader Lake Forest College was to play later Saturday).
 
Grinnell's nine-match unbeaten string is the longest for the program since the 2008 season, as is the 5-0-1 mark to start the MWC slate. Grinnell owns a 6-0-3 record since losing to Carleton College on Sept. 10.
 
Grinnell, which avenged last year's 1-0 loss to Lawrence, jumped on top just five minutes in when Tori Thomas '25 found the back of the net for her third goal of the season and fourth of her career.
 
Lawrence, 3-2 in the MWC and 7-6 in all games, tied the contest in the 32^nd minute with a goal.
 
Not to be outdone, Tali Berk '24 scored a goal three minutes later to give the Pioneers a lead they would never relinquish. It was Berk's first goal of the season and second in her career.
 
Grinnell was outshot 8-6 in the game, but had five shots on goal compared to four for the Vikings. Keiko Smith '25 led Grinnell with two shots, both on goal, while Thomas, Berk, Gia Sundaram '25 and Reese Komsthoeft '25 had one shot each.
 
Pioneer keeper Elinor Arneson '23 recorded three saves in collecting the win.
 
The Pioneers step out of league play Wednesday to host Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Action begins at 4 p.m. at Springer Field.