September 16, 1998

Monmouth,IL -- The scoring troubles continued today for the Monmouth men’s soccer team as the Fighting Scots lost a Midwest Conference match against Grinnell College at Bobby Woll Field. The Scots dropped a 2-0 decision to the Pioneers and fell to 0-2 in MWC action, 2-2-1 overall, while Grinnell moved to 3-1 on the season (1-0 MWC).

Offensive results were again absent for Monmouth, which controlled a majority of the action on the field. The Scots had good field position for most of the match but could not capitalize on several scoring opportunities. "We felt that we controlled the ball for about 60 to 70 minutes again today," said Monmouth coach Rue Carthew. "We just can’t finish our chances lately. The men are actually playing very good team soccer but we’re suffering from not being able to close." Monmouth has scored only four goals in its first five matches this fall.

Grinnell scored two goals in the first period as Eli Wood and Adam Noyce each connected on unassisted shots against freshman keeper Joel Cowan, who was credited with 8 saves for the match. Wood’s tally came in the 30th minute of play and Noyce scored off a Pioneer corner kick five minutes later. The Pioneers made the first-half scores stand as Davin Dahl and Shawn Hoy posted 5 goalie saves apiece and split the shutout.

The Grinnell match starts a five-match homestand for Monmouth, which next takes to the field on Sunday for a non-conference contest with Illinois Wesleyan. The Scots’ next league match is set for September 26 against Carroll College.