APPLETON, Wis. — Several Lawrence University teams delve into Midwest Conference play this week. Football has its league opener on Saturday when it hosts Illinois College, and men’s and women’s soccer play a pair of conference games this weekend.
The Vikings have what is possibly the earliest kickoff in Lawrence history as the football plays at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Four teams, football, volleyball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer, are all at home on Saturday.
WOMEN’S SOCCER (1-5-0, 0-0-0 MWC)
Opponent: Lawrence vs. UW-Platteville (4-3-0)
When and Where: Wednesday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
Webcast: Lawrence vs. UWP
Series: Platteville holds a 1-0-0 lead in the series. The only match played between the teams was in 2014, and the Pioneers posted a 2-0 victory.
Opponent: Lawrence vs. Knox (7-0-1, 0-0-0 MWC)
When and Where: Saturday, Sept. 24, 3:30 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
Webcast: Lawrence vs. Knox
Series: In a series
Fast Fact: Lawrence holds a commanding 20-1-0 lead in the series that dates to 1987. Knox’s only win was a 1-0 triumph last fall.
Opponent: Lawrence vs. Illinois College (4-1-0, 1-0-0 MWC)
When and Where: Sunday, Sept. 25, 3:30 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl
Webcast: Lawrence vs. Illinois College
Series: In a series that started in 1997, Lawrence holds a 16-1-1 lead in the rivalry. The Vikings won 1-0 last fall.
Fast Fact: The short-handed Vikings picked up their first win of the season last week with a 1-0 win at Lakeland. Due to injuries, Lawrence played with just nine players in the second half but managed to keep the Muskies off the board. Goalkeeper Kori Looker earned her first career shutout against Lakeland.
VOLLEYBALL (4-9)
Opponent: Lawrence at Carroll (4-7)
When and Where: Thursday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m., Van Male Fieldhouse, Waukesha, Wis.
Webcast: Lawrence at Carroll
Series: Carroll won 3-0 earlier this season and now holds a 12-10 series lead over the Vikings.
Opponent: Lawrence vs. MSOE (1-8)
When and Where: Saturday, Sept. 24, 1 p.m., Alexander Gymnasium.
Webcast: Lawrence vs. MSOE
Series: Lawrence has an 11-3 edge over the Raiders in a series that goes back to 1999.
Fast Fact: The Vikings went 0-4 last week in a brutal stretch of games. Middle hitter Liz Arco was named to the all-tournament team at the Red Hawk Invitational after posting a pair of double-digit kill matches. Arco finished with 20 kills on the day and an impressive .341 hitting percentage.
WOMEN’S TENNIS (5-3, 4-2 MWC)
Opponent: Lawrence at ITA Regional Tournament
When and Where: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-24, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn.
Webcast: None.
Fast Fact: Lawrence has won four of its last five matches to improve to 4-2 in the conference. Top singles and doubles player Katie Frankel was named the Midwest Conference Player of the Week after posting a 3-0 record at No. 1 singles and teamed with Lindsay Holsen for a 3-0 mark at No. 1 doubles.
CROSS COUNTRY
Event: Brissman-Lundeen Invitational
When and Where: Friday, Sept. 23, 3 p.m., Saukie Golf Course, Rock Island, Ill.
Results: Brissman-Lundeen Invitational
Fast Fact: The Lawrence men were the top finishers among Midwest Conference schools at this event in 2015. The Vikings also get their first look at Grinnell, which is the favorite to win the men’s title in the league this season. Look for the debut this season of Lawrence senior Max Edwards.
FOOTBALL (1-1, 0-0 MWC)
Opponent: Lawrence vs. Illinois College (1-2, 0-1 MWC)
When and Where: Saturday, Sept. 24, 11:30 a.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
Webcast: Lawrence vs. Illinois College
Series: In a series that dates to 1986, Illinois College holds a 15-5 edge. The teams haven’t played since 2013, and Lawrence’s last win was a 22-18 victory back in 2007.
Fast Fact: Lawrence linebacker Jake Gostisha ranks in the top 10 in the Midwest Conference in four statistical categories. He’s ninth at 8.5 tackles per game, second at 2.0 tackles for loss per game, second at 1.0 interceptions per game and fifth at 1.5 passes defensed per game.
MEN’S SOCCER (2-4-0, 0-0-0 MWC)
Opponent: Lawrence vs. Knox (4-3-0, 0-0-0 MWC)
When and Where: Saturday, Sept. 24, 1 p.m., Whiting Field West.
Webcast: None.
Series: In a series goes all the way back to 1975, Lawrence holds a 12-8-1 edge against Knox. The Vikings will be trying to snap a three-game losing skid to the Prairie Fire.
Opponent: Lawrence vs. Illinois College (0-3-2, 0-0-0 MWC)
When and Where: Sunday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m., Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
Webcast: Lawrence vs. Illinois College
Series: Lawrence holds a 12-6-1 advantage over Illinois College in a series that began in 1997. Illinois College has won the last two matches, both by identical 1-0 scores.
Fast Fact: Lawrence plays Saturday match on the grass at Whiting Field West due to scheduling conflicts in the Banta Bowl. The Vikings will be back on the turf on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore midfielder Taylor Reifert posted the first multi-goal game of his career with a pair of goals against Edgewood.