St. Norbert Outlasts Knox in MWC Tournament Semifinal

From Sports Information Director, November 4, 2016 | Men's Soccer
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - St. Norbert College advanced to the championship game of the Midwest Conference Tournament with a 3-2 win over Knox College in a semifinal game at Lake Forest College's Farwell Field.

The Green Knights (15-3-1) will face Grinnell College (11-6-1) at Noon Saturday for the MWC Tournament championship and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament. St. Norbert is searching for its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2006.

All of the scoring came in a wild first half. St. Norbert took a 2-0 lead in the early going. Tyler Kassube scored his 10th goal of the season off a set piece at 11 minutes 23 seconds. Kieran Ruane scored on a header off a Kassube corner kick at 25:12 for the two-goal advantage.

Knox (13-4-2) responded with a penalty kick by Erick Karkut at 34:28, but St. Norbert got its two-goal lead back just 72 seconds later on a Kevin Marx goal with Griffin Hoerchner assisting. The Prairie Fire drew back to within one at 43:28 when Jake Ly scored from close range.

The Prairie Fire applied heavy pressure in the second half, outshooting the Green Knights 13-5 in the final 45 minutes and 23-12 for the match. St. Norbert goalkeeper Josh Koleske was up to the challenge, making nine saves in the win.

Knox had a 7-3 edge in corner kicks and fouls were even 13-13. Justin Dunn made two saves for the Prairie Fire.