Jacksonville, IL – The Prairie Fire earned its first win of the season and some hardware to go along with it on Wednesday against MacMurray College.

Sophomore Ella Petersen (Wilmette, IL, Lake Forest Academy) scored two second half goals after a scoreless first half to give Knox (1-5) a 2-0 win and the traveling Ferris Trophy.  The match marked the start of an annual competition between the Prairie Fire and the Highlanders, with the winner taking possession of the trophy.

Petersen scored her first goal, assisted by senior Arielle Dorman (Bothell, WA, Inglemoor), at the 52:30 mark to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.  She doubled the advantage with her fourth goal of the season, an unassisted score, with four minutes remaining in the match.

Knox junior goalie Rachael Koene (Golden Valley, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret's) recorded two saves in shutting out MacMurray (1-7).

The Prairie Fire outshot the Highlanders 18-4 overall and 15-2 on goal.

Galesburg and Jacksonville both have connections to the Ferris Wheel and its inventor, George Ferris.

Ferris is Galesburg native whose family was instrumental in the founding of Knox College.  In Jacksonville, the Eli Bridge Company first made a portable version of the Ferris Wheel in 1900 and is the longest producer of the popular amusement ride.  Eli Bridge continues to make the Ferris Wheel today.

Knox tries for a second straight victory on September 26 at Jorge Prats Field against Eureka College.  The match follows the men’s contest at approximately 4:30 p.m.

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