Aniela Rossi
Knox College
First-year Aniela Rossi scored her first collegiate goal at Coe.
2
Winner Knox Knox (2-2-0, 0-0-0)
0
Coe Coe (0-3-1, 0-0-0)
Winner
Knox Knox
(2-2-0, 0-0-0)
2
Final
0
Coe Coe
(0-3-1, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Knox Knox 0 2 2
Coe Coe 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Another Day, Another Shutout for Women’s Soccer

A pair of first-years scored the two goals and Darby Wallig racked up another shutout in goal

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — One day after collecting its first victory of the 2025 campaign, the Knox College women's soccer team claimed another one, this time a 2-0 win on the road at Coe College for its first win over the Kohawks in 30 years. First-years Eliana Juarez and Aniela Rossi provided the two goals for the Prairie Fire (2-2) while sophomore Darby Wallig recorded her second straight shutout to help stifle Coe (0-3-1).

The first half featured few opportunities for either side as both teams attempted three shots, only one of which was on goal, and that was thwarted by Coe keeper Lilly Monroe. The second half was another story, however, as Knox dialed up the pressure.

Juarez, who scored yesterday's game-winning goal in the 1-0 triumph over Aurora University, came through once again in the 56th minute in unassisted fashion on a shot from 34 yards out. About 20 minutes later, Rossi scored her first collegiate goal by redirecting a free kick by fellow first-year Sophia Gordoa — her first career assist — for some breathing room.

Fantastic goals for first-years Eliana Juarez and Aniela Rossi!

Meanwhile, the Prairie Fire defense was stout, not allowing a shot on goal until there was little more than five minutes to play. Twice the Kohawks tested Wallig, and she was up to the challenge to preserve the shutout.

"We knew it would be a physical and mental battle today after playing yesterday," Knox Head Coach Annie Gerdes related. "Before we took the field, I told them that the team that wants it more will win this one, and we showed how much we wanted another taste of victory. It was a great weekend for every one of the players on this team, but particularly for our first-years who came through at the offensive end."

  • The last time the Prairie Fire won consecutive games was in the 2021 season when they won nine straight to advance to the Midwest Conference Tournament championship game.
  • Knox had not beaten Coe in the previous 12 meetings (0-11-1) since its last win in the series 30 years ago (3-2 on Oct. 7, 1995), back when the Kohawks were members of the MWC.
  • The consecutive shutouts are the first for the Fire since a pair of scoreless ties late in the 2022 season.

Knox will get some well deserved rest before playing again next Saturday, Sept. 13, when Franklin College (1-2) comes to town. The Prairie Fire will honor its five seniors prior to the start of the contest as part of Senior Day with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Jorge Prats Field. The match will be streamed live with live stats available through the official website of Knox College Athletics, PrairieFire.Knox.edu.

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