Women’s soccer reigns supreme
Last weekend, Monmouth College women’s soccer competed in their second Midwest conference tournament in two years. Friday, the Scots faced off against the Rams of Cornell College at a neutral site. The Scots, who lost to the rams earlier in the season, were looking for redemption in the tournament. The first half was a war of attrition as neither side was able to convert on the limited opportunities. Going into the second half, the Scots came out firing on all cylinders, putting pressure on the Rams’ defense, which resulted in a 55th minute penalty kick by senior forward Kara-Jade Gordon. One goal would prove to be enough in the end as the Scots advanced to the conference championship against the Prairie Fire.
Heading into the championship game against Knox on Saturday, the campus community was seemingly more excited about the prospects of a women’s soccer conference title than a Turkey Bowl win over the Prairie Fire.
The championship game had an atmosphere unlike any other. While it was an away game, it felt more like a home game as Monmouth supporters outnumbered Knox supporters ten-fold. As the game began, it was clear that it would be a defensive battle as Monmouth held Knox to two shots in the first half. In the second half, not much had changed tactically as both teams struggled to find the goal. The game went into overtime as neither team was able to score in regulation. As the tension on the pitch grew, so did the tension in the stands as both Knox and Monmouth supporters were chanting back and forth in support of their team.
As the final overtime half ended, it was clear to the supporters that the game would be decided by penalties. Junior Hayden DeeLuw would shoot and score for the Scots. Next up was the Prairie Fire, who would miss wide. Next up was sophomore Jordyn Gossell, who would miss. Knox would shoot and score on their next chance. Next up was freshman Yari Aguado, who would score putting the Scots up 2-1 on penalties. Knox’s next player would make her shot from the penalty spot, tying it up at 2-2. The next three players to shoot would miss from the spot, putting pressure on freshman midfielder Mikayla McCart, who would convert on the penalty and put Knox on the hot seat. Knox’s next player would shoot and have her shot saved by goalkeeper Kensey Arlt.
The moments following the win were surreal for Arlt who said: “I still don’t believe it happened. I haven’t allowed myself to think that we’ve won our first conference title in history.” Sophomore Ezzie Baltierra-Chavez, who won all-conference honors at the Midwest Conference championships the previous weekend said: “Coming home with this title is beyond words. To see how far we have come as a team and facing so many adversities along the way, it’s beyond words.”
After the team celebrated, they came to the section of Monmouth supporters who stormed the field to celebrate with their champions in hostile territory.
CJ Bonifer - Photography Manager
