The Beloit College women's soccer team was edged by Knox College, unbeaten in the Midwest Conference so far this season, 2-1 Saturday afternoon.

The Prairie Fire got on the board early in the sixth minute of the contest. Brooklyn Deming's flip throw looked more like a corner into the box and Lydia Mitchell got her head on it for the first goal of the game. 

The Buccaneer defense stifled the Knox offense through the rest of the half.

In the 63rd minute, Knox struck again, this time a corner was cleared out and Mitchell regained possession sending a ball to the far post where it was redirected in by Emma McCormick. 

Facing a 2-0 deficit, the Bucs refused to quit and continued to pressure. 

That pressure paid off in the 81st minute as two seniors cut the lead in half. Courtney Cuervorst took a free kick near the sideline and sent it into the middle of the box. Candace Cunningham had found space in the middle of the box and the perfectly served ball gave her a one-on-one with only the goalie to beat. She redirected the cross heading the ball towards goal and beating the keeper to narrow the gap to 2-1.

Genesis Dade nearly posted the equalizer in the 87th minute as Knox's keeper muffed a cross in but came up with the save on Dade's shot. 

Dade registered the Bucs' final offensive opportunity in the 88th minute but the Prairie Fire keeper once again played spoiler. 

Beloit is 4-8-1 on the season and 3-3-0 in league play with three more MWC matches left in the season. The Bucs are currently fifth in the league with the top four advancing to the conference tournament. Knox leads the league with a 5-0 record.

The Bucs will host a 2-3 Illinois College squad Sunday at 1:30.