Each season, the Monmouth College men’s soccer team plays Galesburg’s Knox College, their biggest rival. This year, Monmouth kicked off against Knox on Saturday, Sept. 29, and it also happened to be the first Midwest Conference game for the Scots.

The game was played on a beautiful  afternoon in Galesburg, and the Scots escaped with a 1-0 victory. Although the game was technically a road game for Monmouth, many Scots fans and supporters showed up in Galesburg, largely because it was Family Weekend at Monmouth College.

Although Monmouth generally fields a more talented team than Knox, the Prairie Fire always plays their hardest against the Scots. The game means a lot to Monmouth as well, but, as sophomore midfielder Patrick Blazer says, the Prairie Fire makes beating Monmouth their biggest goal of the season.

“I think that Knox always plays us with a lot more intensity because beating us would make their season a success,” he said. “Based on the rest of their results in conference, it’s easy to see that our game with them is the only game that they come ready to play.”

The first and only goal of the game was scored by senior Trevor Neff, who netted the goal in the 37th minute. Freshman Joseph Howell was credited with the assist on the play.

“I was standing in line with the Knox defense, ready for a rebound or cross. I didn’t see Joe kick the ball, but I caught a glimpse of it in the air, saw it hit the crossbar, then realized it was going to land in the perfect position for me to finish it,” Neff, the team’s captain, said. “I took a couple steps to get in front of the Knox players, lined up the shot and ripped it into the goal.”

Neff leads the Scots in goals this season, recording his fourth score of the young campaign in the Knox game. Overall, the Scots out-shot Knox 17-14.

Scoring only one goal might not be good enough to earn a win in most Midwest Conference games, but once again Monmouth’s defense played incredibly well in shutting out Knox. 

Sophomore Owen Robinson proved worthy of his recent selection as Midwest Conference Defensive Performer of the Week, as he recorded his fourth shutout in just eight games this season. Robinson had five saves against Knox.

“They say what really makes a goalie look good is defense, and we have some lockdown defense this year,” Robinson said. “Without them I probably wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”

The Scots pulled their season record to .500 with a 3-3-2 record after defeating the Prairie Fire. More importantly, Monmouth got off to a quality start in the MWC, moving to 1-0.

Knox dropped to 3-7-0 overall and 1-3-0 in the MWC after the game. Blazer feels the Knox game should provide momentum for the Scots and propel them to a good season.

“That win was really special because it was a team effort; we didn’t have many individuals in that game,” Blazer said. “Playing as a team in our first conference game on Knox’s home field did a lot for our confidence, I think. We know that we can hold our own against any team in the conference this year, and Knox was a great starting point.”

The Scots will be in full swing in conference play starting this weekend, when they host St. Norbert College on Oct. 6 and Lawrence University the following day. In recent years, St. Norbert has established itself as the best men’s soccer program in the MWC.

The Fighting Scots hope to continue their solid play and build on the conference victory over Knox, but they know future wins will not come easy.

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