Monmouth is a new opponent for the Muskies, who take on for the first time the school from western Illinois from the town of Monmouth, population 8,902. The Scots are the third straight Midwest Conference opponent to start the season for Lakeland, which has already faced Lawrence and Ripon. The Muskies also faced Beloit last year (4-0 loss) and have an 8-41-1 record all-time against the nine current members of the Midwest Conference, with seven of the wins (plus the tie) coming against Ripon and the other win against Beloit in 2013.

Lakeland last time out: Tied Ripon 1-1 Wednesday
The Muskies worked hard to earn a tie on the road against the Red Hawks, finishing in a deadlock despite a considerable shots disadvantage. Ripon outshot Lakeland 19-3, including a 14-2 lead in shots on goal, but Addi Reimer made eight saves and Ingrid Steinbock also made four saves. Malaya Sperber scored her first goal of the season just 101 seconds into the game and it may have stood up the whole way except the Red Hawks were awarded a penalty kick in the 39th minute and Juliana Garcia converted to tie the score at 1-1. Sperber, Ashleyn Jimenez and Charmiss Tucker finished with the shot attempts for the Muskies, who now have four ties in their last 13 matches dating back to September of last season.

Monmouth last time out: Lost at Millikin (Ill.) 6-0 Tuesday
The Fighting Scots fought on the road but were overpowered by the Big Blue, who scored three times in each half to take the non-conference game. Marian Hobson (two shots), Kiersten Medinger and Grasyn Schmidt combined for the four shot attempts for Monmouth while Bronte De Zwart made four saves in goal. The result was a reverse from the Scots' first game of the season, a 3-0 shutout of Eureka (Ill.) as Medinger scored twice and Natalie Morrow added a goal, all in the first half against the Red Devils.

About the Fighting Scots: Monmouth finished 5-8-4 overall last year including a 3-3-2 record in the Midwest Conference. The Scots finished 2-0-1 over their final three games with wins over Knox (Ill.) and Ripon and a tie with Grinnell (Iowa). Lucas Henderson is in his fifth year as head coach of Monmouth and is a native of Sheboygan, and came to the school after starting the program at Bryant & Stratton. The Fighting Scots have been consistent in finishing fifth in the Midwest Conference in three of the past four years.