Murray Scores but Scots Drop MWC Opener to Beloit

By Nathan Baliva

The Monmouth College men's soccer team dropped their Midwest Conference opener 5-1 to Beloit College on Saturday. The loss ends a 4-game unbeaten streak for the Fighting Scots (3-3-2, 0-1), Owen Murray (Cedar City, Utah) had a shot saved in front of the goal in the 10th minute. Luis Villa (El Paso, Texas) made a save for the Scots just a couple minutes later but Beloit took the lead in the 17th minute. Both teams had shots over the next 10 minutes but Beloit took a 2-0 lead in the 30th minute. With seven minutes to play in the half, Beloit made it 3-0.

Murray hit the post in the opening minutes of the second half. Beloit scored before Murray found the back of the net for the Scots in the 57th minute. Parker Davis (Burlington, Iowa) picked up the assist but an own goal just four minutes later put Beloit on top 5-1. Neither team scored over the final 30 minutes.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Villa made three saves ... Villa and Treyton Yi (Streamwood, Illinois) played all 90 minutes ... Murray has 12 career goals, tied for 13th on Monmouth's career list with Mark Hertko (1993-96) and Jimmy Johnson (1991-94).. ... His 28 career points are tied for 18th with Andrew Prewett (2002-05).. ... He has six goals on the season to lead the Scots.. ... Shots were 15-14 in favor of Beloit and shots on goal were 7-4 ... Murray had two shots on goal while both Davis and Ryan Rodriguez-Gardea (El Paso, Texas) had one ... Monmouth is 7-20-3 all-time against Beloit and the Buccaneers have won five straight in the series ... The Scots are at Grinnell on Wednesday with a 4 p.m. kickoff ... The next home game is Saturday, Oct. 11 against Lawrence.