The Monmouth College women’s soccer team played two close games during the past week, as they defeated Hannibal-LaGrange College 2-1 on Sept. 29 and lost to Clarke College on Oct. 1 by the identical score.

With the 1-1 week, the Scots kept their overall record at .500, as they stand at 5-5-1 for the 2007 season.

In the game against Hannibal-LaGrange, Monmouth overcame an early 1-0 deficit by scoring two second half goals and earning the victory at home. The team’s first goal was scored in the 48th minute when freshman Becca Baur netted her second goal of the season. Fellow freshman Niki Sue Williams assisted Baur on the play. Williams was very active offensively for the Scots, as she led the team with six shots.

The game remained tied for most of the second half, until the Scots took the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining, in the 81st minute. Freshman Megan Meeke scored the game winner, which was her fourth goal of the season. Junior Sarah Kisner and senior Lauren Lafond were credited with assists on the play.

Monmouth out-shot Hannibal-LaGrange 19-7, and the Scots’ goalkeeper, freshman Sarah Wintersteen, played all 90 minutes while recording three saves.

The Scots could not extend their winning streak to three when they traveled to play Clarke College in Dubuque, IA on Oct. 1. The first half of the game ended in a 0-0 tie, but Clarke scored a goal early in the second half.

The Scots responded with a goal of their own just five minutes later to even the score at one goal apiece. Sophomore Whitney Ott scored the goal for the Scots, coming off a corner kick in the 59th minute. Lauren Vana, also a sophomore, assisted Ott on the play.

However, Clarke responded with another goal in the 74th minute, and the Scots were not able to score again, losing the game 2-1. Wintersteen again played the entire game and recorded seven saves.

A large part of the Scots’ success this season has been due to their solid defense, as they have allowed more than two goals just four times in their 11 games. A large contributor to the defense has been sophomore Lindsay Johnson, who is optimistic and confident about the rest of the season.

“We’ve had kind of a rough patch in terms of figuring out what works best defensively and offensively in our formation. But we’ve been working really hard on that and I think we’ve found a formation that can really work for us,” Johnson said. “So now, our goal is just to keep building on that foundation, continue to work well as a team and do well in our games so that we can make it to the playoffs this year. Oh, and have fun!”

The Scots sit at a respectable 2-1 record in the Midwest Conference, as they have earned victories over Illinois College and Knox College. Their only loss came at the hands of Grinnell College.

Conference play continues this weekend, when Monmouth plays St. Norbert College on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Lawrence University on Sunday, Oct. 7.  In 2006, the Scots suffered their worst loss of the season against St. Norbert, but they won big against Lawrence. Both matches are home and will kick off at 11  a.m.

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