RIPON, Wis. — The only goal of the game on Saturday between the Knox College Prairie Fire women's soccer team and host Ripon came on a penalty kick early in the second half, allowing the Red Hawks (5-11-3, 1-6-1 Midwest Conference) to pick up its lone victory in league play this fall in the 1-0 win. Knox ends its campaign with a record of 1-13-3 overall and 0-6-2 in the conference.
After a scoreless first half that featured four shots on goal between the two squads, three of which were saved by first-year Prairie Fire goalkeeper Darby Wallig, Ripon got a golden opportunity to score when one of its players was fouled just inside the top of the box barely seven minutes into the second half.
Wallig was up to the task on the penalty kick, however, stopping the shot easily. But on the save, she was ruled to have come forward off her line before the shot, giving the Red Hawks another shot at penalty kick. The second attempt came in high and just above the outstretched hands of Wallig, giving Ripon a 1-0 lead.
The next five minutes led to a flurry of Knox shots on goal, all three of which were turned away. Then with 5:20 to play, fifth-year Alex Halleck lined a free kick from 20 yards out that hit the crossbar, caromed off the goalkeeper's head and bounded over the goal. And on the ensuing corner kick, first-year Natalia Nuño's shot was smothered by Ripon keeper Andreanna Wilke, her seventh and final save in her first shutout of the season.
- Four of the Prairie Fire's seven shots on goal came off the foot of Halleck.
- Wallig finished the game with four saves.
- Ripon has won the last two meetings since going winless against Knox the previous eight showdowns.
