GRINNELL, Iowa - The Knox College Prairie Fire women's soccer team defeated the Grinnell Pioneers in an exciting match that was decided on a last minute goal in extra time. Their victory today marked their fifth in a row and extended their unbeaten streak to nine games.
Both sides started relatively slowly, only combining for two shots on goal in the first 30 minutes and generally battling in the middle third of the field. Knox's defense held strong when pressed by the Pioneer offense, but were not tested very much, as each side only had three shots and one shot on goal.
The second half began much in the same way the first half ended, but began to pick up pace around the 60th minute. While the Prairie Fire had 12 shots to the Pioneers' 5, Grinnell scored first on a goal from Simona Bambi in the 63rd minute. Grinnell's lead was short-lived, however, as Alex Robertson won a penalty kick after being shoved in the box while attempting to position herself for an incoming corner. The penalty resulted in her slotting her shot right down the middle, beating the Pioneer keeper and tying the game at one apiece. This would remain the score as the second half closed down, despite several strong pushes from the Prairie Fire.
Extra time reverted back to much of the play of the first half, as each time played relatively defensively so as to avoid letting in the winning goal. With only two minutes left, and the game appearing to head for a draw, Lydia Mitchell beautifully lifted a shot over the keeper from the left side of the box, putting in the winning goal and sending the team streaming onto the field in celebration.
"It was tough game with the weather and conditions. That is always a tough place to play," said head coach Chris Haught-Thompson. "Credit due to their game plan, they played very hard and it was difficult for us to find quality chances. We kept chipping away though and round a couple opportunities that we were able to put away."
The Prairie Fire play their next game against the Millikin Big Blue in Decatur on October 10.
