Ruiz-Camarena Scores Early but Scots Fall 2-1

by Nathan Baliva

MONMOUTH, Ill. (10/21/2023) — The Monmouth College men's soccer team scored first on Saturday but down to 10-men, they ultimately lost to Ripon 2-1. The Scots (3-10-2, 2-3-2) have one game left in the regular season and will need help from other results to make the MWC tournament.

Down to 10 players after a red card, Monmouth took the lead in the 13th minute. Kristofer Ruiz-Camarena (El Paso, Texas) scored on a free kick, his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Monmouth kept the Red Hawks off the board for 35 minutes but the hosts scored twice in 67 seconds to take a 2-1 lead.

Neither team scored in the second half. Christopher Zavala (New Lenox, Illinois) made seven saves in the game for the Scots.

MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Ripon out-shot Monmouth 18-7 and shots on goal were 9-2. Zavala, Tanner Viren (East Moline, Illinois), Mathew Hipolito (Plainfield, Illinois), Ramon Aguilar (St. Louis, Missouri), Logan Corgan (Geneseo, Illinois), and Ruiz-Camarena played all 90 minutes. Viren has played all 90 minutes in 35 straight appearances, dating back to early in the 2021 season. Corner kicks were even at 2-2. Monmouth will play at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Grinnell in the final game of the regular season.