GALESBURG, Ill. — Coming off a game in which its opponent scored with five seconds to play, the Knox College men's soccer team suffered another late loss when Illinois College scored in the 88th minute to escape Jorge Prats Field with a 1-0 victory over the Prairie Fire (3-7-2, 0-2-1 Midwest Conference). Jacob Pelletier provided the game-winner for the Blueboys (8-3-1, 2-0-0 MWC).
Both teams engaged in a tight battle that became increasingly aggressive throughout the afternoon. The first half featured three shots on goal and five fouls for each side, and in the second stanza, desperation to score became more and more apparent. Knox was assessed three yellow cards in the final 15 minutes while Illinois College was given one.
The third Prairie Fire yellow set up a free kick from about 40 yards out with just under three minutes to play. While Knox thwarted the initial attack, it could not clear the ball, and the Blueboys eventually drove their way deep into the box to the right of the goal. Tyler Lunning fed the ball to teammate Thomas Menke, who in turn found Pelletier, whose right foot slammed a shot just past Prairie Fire keeper Nicolas Lantzendorffer with 2:22 to play.
- Junior Luka Bagi nearly scored 10 minutes into the second half, but Illinois College keeper Happach made a diving save to his right, and sophomore Carlos Rebello da Silva's header with 21 minutes left was plucked out of the air.
- Knox has been held scoreless in its first three conference games while only allowing a total of two goals.
- Happach saved six shots to earn his first win and shutout of the season.
Knox will host Cornell College (4-6-1, 2-0-1 MWC) next Tuesday afternoon on Oct. 15. The game will kick off at 4 p.m. with live video and stats available through the official athletics website of Knox College, PrairieFire.Knox.edu.
