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Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire offense went to work in the second half of a 4-2 Midwest Conference win on Thursday over Illinois College.

The victory was the first for Knox against IC since a 3-1 decision at home in September of 2007.  The match was originally slated to be played on October 4 but had to be rescheduled because of inclement weather that included several lightning strikes.

First-year Charlie Harned (Webster Groves, MO, Clayton) led the way for the Prairie Fire (6-8-2, 2-4-2 MWC) with two goals and one assist.  He’s ranked third in the Midwest Conference in goals (12) and points (28), and second in the league with three game-winning goals.

The teams played a scoreless first 45:00 of the match.  The Blueboys (7-7-3, 2-5-2 MWC) got on the board first on a goal by Evan Baker at the 57:12 mark for a 1-0 lead.

Junior Max Gatyas (Plymouth, WI, Plymouth ) tied the match at 1-1 when he made good on a penalty kick, his fourth goal of the season.

Harned gave the Prairie Fire the lead for good at 2-1 with his first goal of the contest at 70:04.  He scored again about three minutes later for a 3-1 lead, assisted by Gatyas.

First-year Nathaniel Logie (Trinidad and Tobago, Queens Royal College) added his sixth goal of the year at the 78:03 mark on an assist by Harned give Knox a 4-1 lead.  IC was credited with an own goal 46 seconds later to account for the final score.

The Prairie Fire outshot IC 21-5 overall and 12-4 on goal.

Knox ended a stretch of four straight losses and six matches without a win.

The Prairie Fire’s six victories are the most since the 1999 team finished with a 7-8-1 overall record and a 4-5 mark in the Midwest Conference. 

The four goals scored by Knox against the Blueboys are the most allowed by IC this season.

The Prairie Fire closes out the season on Saturday at home against St. Norbert College (7-7-3, 4-3-2 MWC).  The Green Knights have won three straight and are seeking the fourth and final spot in the upcoming Midwest Conference Tournament.

Regular season MWC champion Lake Forest College, Carroll University, and Beloit College have all qualified for the tourney.  Lawrence University (7-8-1, 4-4-1 MWC), who beat St. Norbert earlier this season, needs a win over Beloit and a Knox victory against SNC to earn a berth in the conference tournament.

The Prairie Fire and the Green Knights are scheduled to play at 1:30 p.m. after the women’s match, which begins at 11:00 a.m. at Jorge Prats Field.

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