Saturday’s intense 0-0 Midwest Conference draw between the Cornell and Lake Forest men’s soccer teams proved to be a preview for an intriguing postseason rematch next weekend.
With the tie on Senior Day, coach Nate Grosse’s Rams secured second place in the final MWC standings at 4-2-2. Lake Forest wound up one point behind Cornell in third at 3-1-4.
Illinois College captured the regular-season title – three points ahead of the Rams – and will host the four-team MWC Tournament Nov. 3-4 in Jacksonville, Ill. That’s where No. 2 seed Cornell and No. 3 seed Lake Forest will meet Friday in an MWC semifinal.
The Rams notched their fifth shutout in conference play, thanks to another complete-game effort by goalkeeper Floris Huiskers. The sophomore registered 10 saves in the match, six coming in the second half.
Cornell’s attack was led by Sam Burmeister with three shots, followed by Erwann Hiernaux with a pair.
The Foresters fired 22 total shots, 13 after intermission.
Prior to Saturday’s match, Cornell honored its five senior players in George Pappadakis, Federico Polidori, Bryce Scott, Emerson Roy and Jeremy Spina.
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Earlier in the week, the Rams fell 3-1 to Illinois College.
The Rams had posted three consecutive shutouts going into Wednesday’s battle with Illinois College and the MWC’s top scoring offense. Cornell gave up a tough-luck goal in the first half that caromed off the cross bar and put the Blueboys ahead 1-0.
Illinois College struck twice more during a four-minute span early in the second half, both off of corner kicks, that pushed the margin to 3-0.
Senior Federico Polidori put Cornell on the scoreboard with his first collegiate goal in the 87th minute. Gaurab Khadka assisted on the play, his third of the season.
The Rams totaled eight shots for the match, three from Aidan Lerch. Mason Parsley had two attempts.
Floris Huiskers finished with a pair of saves over 90 minutes. He faced 18 shots from the Blueboys.