Box Score

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The Prairie Fire saw a close match against Cornell College get away in the second half as the Rams posted a 5-0 Midwest Conference win on Saturday.

The Knox defense held the Rams scoreless until 30 seconds left in the first half when Victoria Rothe scored to give Cornell a 1-0 lead going into the break.

The Rams (7-5-1, 3-3 MWC) outshot Knox 9-4 through the first 45 minutes.  Only one shot by the two teams was on target.  First-year Kayla Brown (Sacramento, CA, Wilton Christian) of the Prairie Fire fired at the goal, but the attempt was corralled by the Cornell keeper.

The Rams came out on the attack after the intermission and doubled their lead, 2-0, on a goal by Emily Snider – her 19th (#2 MWC) – at the 64:22 mark.  Jennifer Strebeck of Cornell put the hosts on top 3-0 with a goal about five minutes later.

A pair of goals by Bethany Stivers 30 seconds apart in the 73rd minute accounted for all of the scoring in the match.

Knox (3-9, 0-5 MWC) did not attempt a shot in the second half.  The Rams finished with a 25-4 advantage in total shots – including a 12-1 edge in shots on goal.

Sophomore Theresa Birzer (Fort Dodge, IA, Fort Dodge) recorded all seven of her saves in goal for the Prairie Fire in the second half.

Knox welcomes Carroll University and Beloit College to Jorge Prats Field for Midwest Conference matches next weekend.  The Prairie Fire and the Pioneers (4-7-1, 3-2-1 MWC) play on Saturday, October 18 at 1:30 p.m.  The match against the Buccaneers (3-9-1, 0-5 MWC) is on Sunday, October 19 at 1:30 p.m.