MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's soccer team gave up two quick goals and faced an uphill battle the rest of Tuesday's match in a 2-0 home loss to Midwest Conference unbeaten Knox.
 
The four-time defending MWC regular-season champion Prairie Fire (8-6-1 overall, 6-0 MWC) pulled into sole possession of first place in the league with their sixth win in a row.
 
The Rams (6-8-1 overall) dropped to 1-2-1 in the MWC, although still have time to gain ground in the standings with four league matches remaining.  
 
Knox converted on the first of its seven corner kick chances, grabbing a 1-0 lead only three minutes into the contest. Emma Art scored her second goal of the match at the 14-minute mark, giving Knox a 2-0 cushion that wound up the final margin.
 
The Rams were limited to five shots. Sydney Hancox, Sanne Croes and Sam O'Brien each had one attempt on goal.
 
Goalkeeper Elise Thomason-Larsen gathered six saves, working the full 90 minutes. The Prairie Fire attempted 13 shots, eight in the second half.
 
Cornell plays host to third-place Lawrence (9-5-1 overall, 3-2 MWC) in a pivotal match at 11 a.m. Saturday.