Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire came up short in the season-opening match against Spalding University, falling 2-1 in overtime.

After playing to a 1-1 draw through two halves, Spalding (1-0) scored on a header by Drew Kaphammer at the 98:32 mark to end the match and escape with the victory.

The Golden Eagles’ Kaphammer also scored Spalding’s first goal at 32:40 for a 1-0 lead.  Knox tied the match on a penalty kick by junior Maxwell Gatyas (Plymouth, WI, Plymouth) that found the back of the net.

The Prairie Fire outshot Spalding 14-11.  First-year Sean McGovern (Chicago, IL, Niles Notre Dame) had two saves in goal for Knox.

The Fire is scheduled to travel to Springfield, Illinois on September 2 to take on Robert Morris University.  Knox doesn’t play at home again until a September 22 Midwest Conference match against Monmouth College.

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