LISLE, Ill. — Lawrence University women's soccer head coach Joe Sagar made history Saturday afternoon as the Vikings rallied for a 3-2 victory over Benedictine University, giving Sagar the all-time wins record at Lawrence.
The Vikings improved to 2-0-1 on the season with the comeback victory after trailing 2-1 at halftime. Lawrence controlled the second half, outshooting Benedictine 12-1 over the final 45 minutes and finishing with an 18-7 advantage in total shots.
Lawrence struck first in the 15th minute when Kate Noonan converted a penalty kick to put the Vikings ahead 1-0. Benedictine responded with goals from Klara Cicha and Alaina Hernandez at 19:23 and 25:51, respectively, to take a 2-1 advantage into halftime.
The Vikings wasted little time pulling even after the break. In the 51st minute, Izzy Robertson played a perfectly placed chip pass over the Benedictine defense, allowing Elena Hartung to run onto it and finish for her first goal of the season to tie the match at 2-2.
Lawrence continued to apply pressure from there, forcing Benedictine goalkeeper Ximena Delgado into several second-half saves as the Vikings searched for the go-ahead goal.
Noonan delivered the winner in the 73rd minute, converting her second penalty kick of the match to give Lawrence a 3-2 lead. The two-goal performance gave Noonan her first two goals of the season.
Lawrence finished with 10 shots on goal compared to five for Benedictine and held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Noonan led the Vikings with two goals, while Hartung added a goal on three shots.
Ally Littau played the second half in goal and earned the victory, making one save while keeping the Eagles scoreless over the final 45 minutes.
The victory also marked a historic milestone for Sagar, who now stands alone as the all-time winningest head coach in Lawrence women's soccer history after entering the match tied for the program record.
