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Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire played inspired soccer on a day the team's seniors were recognized but Beloit College hung on for a 3-2 win on Sunday.

First-year Abby Jackson (Poplar Grove, IL, Belvidere North) connected on the biggest goal of the match for Knox (3-13, 0-9 MWC), her third of the season, to force a 2-2 tie at the 83:43 mark.

However, Beloit (7-7-1, 3-5 MWC) reclaimed the lead at 3-2 just 48 seconds later – at 84:31 – and prevented the Prairie Fire from scoring the rest of the contest.

The Buccaneers scored first at 18:32.  Knox responded with a goal by sophomore Nadia Tapfumaneyi (Harare, Zimbabwe), her second this year, to tie at 1-1 at 21:55. 

Beloit went back on top 2-1 on Caitlin Paterson's second goal before Jackson scored and it appeared the contest might be headed to overtime.

Knox stayed with Beloit despite being outshot 25-5 overall and 16-4 on goal.  Junior Rachael Koene (Golden Valley, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret's) had another strong match in goal with 13 saves.

The Prairie Fire recognized seniors Sam Thomas (Algonquin, IL, Jacobs) and Arielle Dorman (Bothell, WA, Inglemoor), along with their parents, at halftime. 

Thomas, a defensive stopper, has started every match for Knox the past two seasons and served as a team captain since her sophomore year.

Dorman, a two-time All-Midwest Conference selection, reached the 100 point mark with a pair of assists against Beloit.  Dorman has started all 65 matches she's played in and has 40 career goals and 20 assists.  A two-year captain, she's among the all-time women's soccer leaders in goals and points scored.

The Prairie Fire concludes the season on October 27 at home against St. Norbert College.  The match begins at 11:00.

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