LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The University of Dubuque men's soccer team traveled to Lake Forest on Friday to begin a three-game road stretch against the Lake Forest College Foresters. The Spartans and Foresters battled through a hard-fought match that ultimately ended in a 0-0 draw.
From the opening whistle, both teams showed a willingness to battle for every ball, resulting in a physical and competitive match across the field. The Spartans created the better chances during the opening 25 minutes but were unable to find the final touch needed to break the deadlock. The Foresters gained more control during the final 20 minutes of the half, with their best opportunity coming on a shot that struck the crossbar. The match remained scoreless heading into halftime, with the teams tied 0-0.
The second half started much like the first, with the Spartans coming out with strong pressure. The best scoring opportunity came in the 58th minute when
Andre Elinoff's free kick struck the crossbar. From there, the match became a back-and-forth battle, with both teams searching for the game-winning goal. Neither side was able to find the breakthrough, and the match ended as it started, with a 0-0 draw. The result marked the Spartans first tie of the season.
In his return to the starting lineup,
Riley Johnson made five saves to help secure the draw for the Spartans. On the attack,
Andre Elinoff led the Spartans with three shots and came closest to scoring with a free kick that struck the crossbar.
Up Next
The Spartans will remain on the road, traveling to Beloit, Wis., on Sunday, September 27, to take on the Beloit College Buccaneers. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Strong Complex Soccer Field.
