MOUNT VERNON – The longest winning streak in Cornell men's soccer program history ended at eight matches Wednesday with a tightly-contested 2-1 home loss to defending Midwest Conference champion Knox.
 
The Rams (12-3 overall, 5-1 MWC) slipped into a tie for first place in the MWC race with Knox (8-6 overall, 5-1 MWC) with two matches remaining for both teams. Lawrence, which the Rams host this weekend, is also in the title hunt at 4-1 in league play.
 
Cornell overcame an early goal scored by the Prairie Fire in the fourth minute. The Rams evened the match at 1-1 on freshman George Archer's team-high 10th goal of the season at the 30-minute mark. Galen Westervelt provided the assist, his fourth of the fall.
 
The score remained deadlocked until Knox cracked through Cornell's back line with 16 minutes left in regulation. Raphael Adeyemi found the back of the net on a looping shot over Cornell's charging goalkeeper Will Bickel for the decisive score.
 
The Rams made a strong offensive push late in regulation, although couldn't convert on the opportunities. Five of Cornell's eight shots came in the second half.
 
Bickel finished with two saves over the full 90 minutes, dropping his first decision since Sept. 18. Knox pressured him with 11 total shots and 11 corner kicks.
 
Gaurab Khadka led Cornell's attack with three shots. Justin Howe and Archer had two attempts apiece.
 
The Rams now host Lawrence (7-8 overall) in a pivotal match at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.