JACKSONVILLE, III. – The Illinois College women's soccer team continued its conference slate on Saturday with a hard-fought 4-1 loss to the Knox Prairie Fire at England Stadium. With this loss, the Lady Blues are now 5-7-0 (0-3-0 Midwest Conference).
The match began in a stalemate, as neither team was able to capitalize on their opportunities. However, the Prairie Fire were able to find the back of the net on an Emma McCormick goal in the 38th minute. The Lady Blues goalkeeper,
Charlotte Crofton, was able to save 15 of twenty-two shots that she faced in the first half to keep IC within a goal.
In the second half, Knox added a pair of goals in the opening 11 minutes to take a 3-0 lead. A quick goal was scored in the 48th minute by Deborah Bonales to increase their lead to 2-0. This offensive jolt by the Prairie Fire sparked their squad as they were able to net two more goals in the second half. One of the goals came in the 56th minute by McCormick.
After McCormick's second tally of the day, the Lady Blues were able to answer back. On a ball that bounced around the 18-yard box after an IC cross,
Hannah Weid was in the right place at the right time and was able to find the back of the net in the 73rd minute to cut the lead to 3-1. Emily McParland sealed the deal for the Prairie Fire as she scored in the 75th minute to make it a 4-1 contest.
Crofton had another outstanding match as she stopped 24 of the Prairie Fire's shots. The Lady Blues' shots came from
Charity Yount,
Olivia Dobbs,
Morgan Lallish, and Weid.
The Lady Blues will play host to Monmouth College on Friday, October 11 at 1 p.m.
