GALESBURG, Ill. -- Although sustaining a strong shot differential, the Ripon men's soccer team (2-2-1, 0-1 MWC) suffered their first conference loss of the year to Knox College (2-3-2, 1-0 MWC) this Saturday, September 19.
Ripon opened the away game in the driver's seat, earning two quick shots inside the first ten minutes of action. After twenty minutes of play, senior
Thomas Geocaris (Green Bay, Wis., Notre Dame Academy) managed to put the first shot on goal of the game, although the attempt was saved by Knox keeper out of the top left. The Ripon defense held strong until the 34th minute, when Knox would put their first shot of the game up, knocking the ball of the top woodwork to narrowly avoid a first half lead over Ripon. Another shot from the Red Hawks, this time from junior
Gabe O'Doherty (La Vista, Neb., Roncalli Catholic HS), was also stopped by the Knox keeper, ending the first half in a 0-0 tie.
The second half saw an even stronger Ripon attack early, as the team put up five shots in the first seven minutes of play. While Knox finally had a shot miss high and right at the 60th minute mark, Ripon would outshoot the foe 15-2 across the contest, also collecting 11 more corner kick attempts than the hosts. Despite the lopsided offensive possession, the game would be determined in the 83rd minute, when Knox scored the sole goal of the game. The goal marked the last time the ball was sent towards the target by either team, as the final minutes of play wound down without a shot attempt, concluding in a 0-1 Ripon loss.
Red Hawks men's soccer takes to the field again this Tuesday, September 22, at home against Beloit College for another MWC match-up. Beloit is on the hunt for their first win of the season, starting 2026 with an 0-6 record.
