Scots fall in conference opener against Lawrence University
Makenzie Yarc - Contributing Writer
The Monmouth College women’s soccer team took on the Lawrence University Vikings in a Midwest Conference match on Saturday. The Scots were looking to rebound from a non-conference loss to Westminster College (MO). While they played well on both sides of the pitch against Lawrence, the Scot’s eventually fell, 4-0, in what would be both teams’ first conference match of the season.
The Vikings scored first during the 26th minute with a goal by Natalie Linebarger. In the 30th minute, Lawrence’s Erica Grube shot at the bottom right of the goal, but Scots’ goalkeeper Anna Caster saved it. By the first half's end, Monmouth had tried eight shots at goal compared to the Vikings’ 16.
Entering halftime, the Vikings maintained a 3-0 lead. Scots' defender Brooke Gruby said the message from Monmouth’s coach at halftime was about staying focused and motivated. “Coach Henderson emphasized the importance of keeping up the energy, sticking to the game plan, and believing in the team’s ability to turn things around in the second half,” said Gruby.
The Scots kept that in mind, only letting one more Vikings’ goal at the 66th minute. Scored by Ava Elders off an assist by Madi Jones, the goal ended the scoring for the match.
In the second half, the Scots only had four attempts at goal compared to Lawrence’s 17. The Scots attempted 12 shots on goal throughout the match, and Caster saved 12 of Vikings’ shots on frame. The loss changed their overall record to 2-6-2, and 0-1 in conference play. The Vikings headed back to Lawrence with a record of 5-3-1 overall, and 1-0 in the conference.
The Scots head on the road for a pair of conference games; they play at Beloit College (Beloit, Wisconsin) on Saturday, October 5, and at Cornell College (Mount Vernon, Iowa) on Tuesday, October 8. The Scots return to Peacock Memorial Athletic Park for a match against Illinois College on Wednesday, October 16, at 3:30.