RIPON, Wis. - Beloit College men's soccer fell 3-1 to Ripon College this evening at Hopp Stadium in Ripon, Wisconsin. The loss drops the Buccaneers to 0-7-0 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play, while Ripon improves to 3-2-1 (1-1-0).
Ripon struck first when Moaye Yao netted an unassisted goal in the 10th minute, but Beloit answered just over three minutes later. In the 14th minute, Ervin Rosas buried his second goal of the season off a feed from Royce Rodriguez, leveling the score at 1-1 and giving the Buccaneers' bench plenty to cheer about early on.
That would prove to be Beloit's only goal of the match. Ripon regained the lead before halftime on a goal from Isaiah Martinez (assisted by Seth Schroeder) in the 26th minute, and Yao added his second goal of the night in the 74th minute to put the game out of reach.
Despite the result, several Buccaneers had notable nights. Rosas, Beloit's lone goal scorer, finishing with 1 shot on target and a goal in 74 minutes of action. Rodriguez picked up the assist on Rosas's goal and also fired a shot on target that was saved. He was shown a yellow card late in the match (78th minute). Michael Berry came off the bench and was Beloit's most active shooter, registering 2 shots on target in just 24 minutes, both saved by Ripon keeper Sebastian Covarrubias. Matteo Jijon (Wilmette, IL) tallied a shot in the first half and continued to see significant minutes across the match.
Beloit was outshot 12-6 for the match and controlled just 36% of possession, but the team's resilience showed in its finishing efficiency — netting a goal on one of its early opportunities to briefly tie the match. The Buccaneers were whistled for 14 fouls compared to Ripon's 7, and picked up two yellow cards (Rosas in the 68th minute, Rodriguez in the 78th) to Ripon's one.
Beloit goalkeeper David Staats (Meridian, ID) turned in a full 90 minutes between the posts, finishing with 5 saves on 3 goals allowed.
The Buccaneers are back in action at the Strong Complex Soccer Field on Saturday when the face off against the Duhawks of Loras College. Kick off is set for 1 pm.
