BELOIT, WIS. - On a rainy day on the road at Beloit, Knox was able to escape the physical game in gritty fashion as Dera netted a goal in the 74th minute to win 1-0.
Alessandro Carlani was tested early in the match as he had to make four saves in the half to keep the score knotted at 0-0. The defense was tasked with helping out Carlani in the second half as they faced 13 corner kicks in the half.
Of Knox's six shots in the first half, only two were on goal. Knox finally broke the scoreless tie when Kestervens Dera buried a shot in the 74th minute.
The Prairie Fire had to defend for the final 16 minutes, and they did just that as they held off Beloit to win 1-0.
Carlani was faced with a shot on goal in the 88th minute, but was up to the test once again as he sealed the shutout with the save. This was Carlani's first shutout of the season and first full-game shutout of his career.
Dera leads the team with seven goals and 16 points on the season.
The win boosts Knox to 2-1-1 in the MWC and 3-4-3 on the season, and they will return home for another conference test on Saturday morning when they take on Lawrence at 11:00 a.m.
