MONMOUTH, Ill. - Grinnell College's women's soccer team had a valiant comeback effort, but fell just shy as Monmouth College defeated the Pioneers 2-1 in a Midwest Conference battle Saturday.

After a scoreless first half, the Fighting Scots got two quick goals in the 54th and 57th minutes for a 2-0 edge. The Pioneers countered in the 66th minute when Celeste Kaspar '21 scored her first goal of the season on an assist by Cally Carr '21 following a corner kick. Kaspar now has two goals in her career while Carr has one assist this season and two for her career.

The Pioneers worked hard to tie it after that, but the Fighting Scots held off the visitors to preserve the win and improve to 6-2 in the MWC and 13-3-1 overall. The victory seccured a spot for the Fighting Scots in the MWC Tournament. 

Grinnell, 3-3-2 in the league and 6-7-3 in all contests, fired off seven shots including two by Haley Reynolds '21 and Halle Remash '20 and one apiece by Alyssa Radakovich '21, Kaspar and Lauren Edwards '20.

Pioneer keeper Elizabeth Hunt '21 recorded 10 saves. She ranks eighth in a season at Grinnell for saves with 82, while the Pioneers' team total of 87 also ranks eighth.

Grinnell, which remains in the hunt to make the MWC Tournament, closes out the regular season next Saturday against Illinois College. Action in Jacksonville, Ill., begins at 11 a.m.