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Jake Brecknock
Julia Marlin
2
Winner Grinnell GRN (2-5-3, 1-0-0)
1
Lawrence LAW (0-5-2, 0-1-0)
Winner
Grinnell GRN
(2-5-3, 1-0-0)
2
Final
1
Lawrence LAW
(0-5-2, 0-1-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Grinnell GRN 1 1 2
Lawrence LAW 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Ted Schultz

Late goal propels Grinnell to amazing victory at Lawrence

APPLETON, Wis. - For much of Saturday afternoon's Midwest Conference opener, Grinnell College dominated the Lawrence men's soccer team on both sides of the field.

Yet, despite holding that advantage, Grinnell found itself tied with the Vikings in the final minutes of the match. But the Pioneers changed that in a hurry, as Demi Oni's '27 goal with under five minutes to go proved to be the deciding factor as the visitors left the Banta Bowl with a 2-1 victory.

The win marked Grinnell's fifth consecutive victory over the Vikings, a streak that dates back beyond the pandemic. The victory was doubly exciting for Grinnell since it ended a four-match losing string dating back to early September.

Grinnell, which owns a 21-7-2 series lead over Lawrence, got to work quickly as Kanata Mizutani '28 found the back of the net under two minutes into the contest. It was Mizutani's third goal of the season, which ranks second on the team, while Oni had the assist. It was his second of the season. On the play, Oni outraced the Lawrence defenders for the ball down the right edge of the field. He fired a perfect cross into Mizutani, who slid toward the goal while pushing the ball into the net.

Lawrence tied the contest in the 19th minute, and the score remained tied at 1-all at halftime. Nothing changed on the scoreboard until the 85th minute when Oni converted his first goal of the season and third in his career. The play featured a rare keeper assist, as Jack Alexander '29 began the surge with a huge kick that went the length of the pitch. Oni gathered the pass just inside the box on the right side, took a few touches and sent a live drive into the upper left corner of the net past the diving Viking keeper.

Grinnell dominated the shots battle 13-3, including an 11-3 edge in shots on goal. Additionally, the Pioneers took nine corners compared to just one for the hosts.

Samuel Gojjam '27 had five shots for Grinnell, Jack Pennachio '28 added three and Oni and Mizutani added two apiece. Josh Ijiwola '28 added one shot. Alexander was in net for Grinnell and made one save.

Grinnell improved to 2-5-3 with the victory, while Lawrence dipped to 0-5-2.

The Pioneers play their next two MWC contests at home, hosting Monmouth College at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Springer Field and entertaining Ripon College at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Senior Day will precede the Ripon game.
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