NORTHFIELD, Minn.—The Carleton’s men’s soccer team lost in a thrilling MIAC championship game today 1-0 to Macalester College. The top-seeded Knights could not find the equalizer after Macalester’s Scott Petesch tapped one over the line in the 61st minute. The Knights certainly had their chances in the second half to put one in the net themselves, but were unable to convert on all opportunities.
With the win, Macalester advances to the NCAA championships for the 10th time and first since 2005. The Knights now have to wait until Monday, Nov. 9, when the NCAA selection committee announces the tournament bracket, to see if Carleton will return to the national tournament for the second straight year.
The first half of the game saw both teams locked in a battle for position in the midfield, combining for only two shots on goal. Carleton was able to possess the ball, but no great scoring chances were recorded.
The Scots got their lone goal when a streaking Carson Gorecki ran down the right side of the pitch on a counterattack and his cross was deflected up into the air toward the Carleton goal. Unfortunately for the Knights, Petesch beat his defender to the ball and knocked the ball just past Carleton goalkeeper Pete Semmer (Jr./ Del Mar, Calif./Bishop’s School) in the 61st minute.
Looking for its second consecutive MIAC championship, the Knights were unable to find the back of the net against Macalester goalkeeper Mark Mullaney, who finished the day with seven saves, all in the second half. Carleton was shutout for only the second time in their last 18 games.
The Knights had a glorious opportunity early in the second half when a through ball was sent from the midfield to Wes Elfman (Jr./Madison, Wisc./Edgewood). With just the goalie between him and the goal, Elfman tapped the ball to the side of the keeper but was unable to punch it in before Macalester defenders took the ball away from the Knights' leading goal scorer.
In the 74th minute, Ryan Cammarota (So./Neenah, Wisc.) had a header slip just to the left of the post off Elfman's cross on a set-piece from the corner. The Knights had another quality chance in the 85th minute when Tim Wills (So./Portland, Ore./Central Catholic) took advantage of a disorganized Macalester defense and, following a quick re-start after a foul just outside the 18-yard box, necessitating a diving save by Mullaney.
The Knight’s final scoring threat was thwarted in the 87th minute when Brett Adelman (Sr./Westminister, Colo./Legacy) broke free behind the defense, chested the ball down, and shot the ball that Mullaney partially deflected. The ball was slowly trickling towards the goal line when Macalester defender Nate Juergens cleared the ball within a yard of paydirt.
Knights Online will have information on Monday as to whether or not Carleton receives an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.