The Monmouth College women's soccer team won 3-1 against Beloit on Saturday to start Midwest Conference play. The Fighting Scots (5-3-1, 1-0) also celebrated Senior Day with the win. 

Just 8 minutes and 46 seconds into the game, the Scots got on the board with a goal from Morgan Kistler (Kokomo, Indiana). That goal came from an assist by Jackie Contreras (Peoria, Illinois) and  both players lead the team in those categories. .

This game was very intense, and there was a lot of pushing and fighting to make contact with the ball. "They were really physical with us, we just had to hit them back and stay strong and find feet," said senior Avery Parks (Bloomington, Indiana). "We found feet and attacked the wings, and that led to our win.

Kistler scored another goal 25 minutes into the game, and it was assisted by Mariah Hobson (Princeton, Illinois). This put the Scots up 2-0, and they weren't done yet because Contreras smashed in a free kick from distance put the Scots up 3-0 at halftime. Beloit scored the only goal of the second half to account for the 3-1 final score.

"The entire first half, we definitely had our foot on the gas," said Parks. "The second half, they just came out a little bit harder, and they were really looking to hit us for every single ball, and we just got a little tired."

"I feel really good about the commitment that our players have shown," said head coach Lucas Henderson. "It's really nice to see that come together tonight, and our seniors have battled, and this was their first win against Beloit, so it means a lot to them and me."

The Scots put five shots on goal in the second half but didn't add a fourth goal. Monmouth goalkeeper Izzy Seipold (Peoria, Illinois) made seven saves in the contest. Two of her saves were in the second half after she stopped all five of Beloit's shots in the first 45 minutes. 

"Every conference game matters so much, and everything we do in non-conference is in preparation for what we're doing right now," said Henderson. "When you get to conference play, everything tightens up, so you've got to appreciate everything. And when you get to conference play, every point matters. So to get three goals today was huge."

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Kistler has three multi-goal games this season, two at home…She has scored five goals and added an assist in four home games…She leads the Scots with eight goals and 18 points…Contreras scored her first career goal and also added an assist…She leads the Scots with four assists on the season…Hobson had her first assist of the season…Parks and Seipold played all 90 minutes…Both teams took 14 shots…Monmouth is 16-8-5 all-time against Beloit…The teams tied each of the last two seasons…Monmouth has started conference play with a win or draw in three straight season…Six seniors were honored pregame…Parks, Bronte de Zwart (Adelaide, Australia), Brooke Gruby (Leonardtown, Maryland), Natalya Main (Peoria, Illinois), Madi Myers (Rensselaer, Indiana) and Grasyn Schmidt (Lodi, Wisconsin) …The Scots are at Grinnell on Tuesday with a 4 p.m. kickoff…The next home game is Saturday, Oct. 11 against Lawrence.