Box Score

EUREKA, Ill. - After scoring just one goal in their first two games of the season, Ripon's offense exploded Wednesday afternoon, as they picked up their first victory of the season in an 8-1 win at Eureka College. The Red Hawks outshot the Red Devils 31-5, with 22 of Ripon's shots coming on goal.

Ripon (1-1-1) began their scoring barrage six minutes into the game when Derek Saxon notched his first goal of the year on an assist from Cameron Greene. Josh Luna added a goal of his own in the 13th minute thanks to an assist by Perry Poulos. Seven minutes later, Michael Anderson scored his first goal of the season on a pass from Domenic LaVitola. Mherete Mherete capped the first half scoring with a pair of goals thanks to assists from Anderson and Steven Lanphier. 

The Red Hawks extended their lead to seven in the second half thanks to goals from Greene and Anderson. Eureka finally got on the board in the 70th minute with a Joe Zwick goal, but Ripon would match that goal with one of their own two minutes later when Mebrahtu Kasa scored for the first time this season.

Cody Messerschmidt started in goal for the Red Hawks, playing the entire first half and saving one shot, before James Saager relieved him at halftime.

Ripon will try to keep their momentum going on Saturday when they'll host Maranatha Baptist. That game will begin at 1 p.m. at Prairie Field in Ripon.