Grinnell, IA – The Prairie Fire played Grinnell College tough but came up short in a 1-0 Midwest Conference road loss on Saturday.

Knox (2-6, 0-3 MWC) was trying to win three straight matches for the first time this season after beating Eureka College 4-0 at home on September 26 and MacMurray College 2-0 on September 19 in Jacksonville, Illinois. 

The Pioneers (3-5-1, 3-1 MWC) moved into third place in the MWC women's soccer standings with their third straight league victory.  Grinnell earned a 1-0 win at Carroll University on September 16 and shut out Illinois College 4-0 at home on September 22.

The Prairie Fire defense held the Pioneers without a goal until the 68:21 mark of the match when Maddie Gray scored on an assist by Kathryn Hardy.

Junior Rachael Koene (Golden Valley, MN, Benilde-St. Margaret's), after posting back-to-back shutouts in goal for Knox, played exceptionally well.  She allowed just the one goal and equaled a career-high with 15 saves.  She also had 15 saves during the 2010 season at Illinois College and in 2011 at Carroll University.

Grinnell fired 16 shots on goal while the Prairie Fire had four.

Knox will try to start another winning streak and earn its first Midwest Conference victory on October 4 at home against Illinois College (4-7-1, 0-3-1 MWC) at 1:00 p.m. 

The Lady Blues are also seeking their first conference win.  IC has dropped two of its last three matches: the losses 4-0 at Grinnell College a week ago and 2-0 at Webster University on Saturday.  IC and Monmouth College played to a 0-0 tie in double overtime on September 25 in Jacksonville, Illinois.

Illinois College’s last victory was a 2-1 triumph against Eureka College at home on September 19.  The Prairie Fire also beat Eureka 4-0 at home on September 26.  Senior forward Arielle Dorman (Bothell, WA, Inglemoor) scored a season-high three goals to lead Knox against the Red Devils.

The match against IC, designated as a "Purple Out," is part of “Stoke the Fire” Spirit Week sponsored by Knox College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). 

People attending the contest are encouraged to wear purple to support the Prairie Fire.  A canned food drive will also be held to benefit the FISH Food Pantry in Galesburg and the Center for Community Service on the Knox campus.

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