NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Branden McGarrity (Fy./Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) notched both the game winner and the last goal of the match, lifting the Carleton College men’s soccer team won for the seventh time in eight tries, this one a shutout victory over visiting Nebraska Wesleyan University, 4-0.
McGarrity got things going early for No. 23 Carleton (6-1-0), scoring in the seventh minute after collecting a cross inside the six-yard box and slotting a shot inside the left post for the first score of the game.
A dozen minutes later, Nathan Park (So./Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) collected a feed atop the 18-yard box, spun and fired the ball from his left foot, which bounced into the left side of the net to put the hosts in front, 2-0.
The Knights offense connect again in the 32nd minute, when Shant Douzdjian (So./Portland, Ore./Riverdale) sent a cross over the box from the left side, which Derek Funk (Sr./Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) one-touched through from the right. Will Corcoran (Jr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) deflected Funk’s pass into the upper part of the net, increasing Carleton’s lead to three.
The Knights were in control for most of the match, posting a 17-7 edge in shots, including an 8-1 margin over the final 45 minutes.
McGarrity’s second goal of the match came in the 57th minute after Devin Tomson-Moylan (So./St. Paul, Minn./Central) sent a ball over the Prairie Wolves’ defensive wall. McGarrity chased the ball down and dribbled inside the 18, before slotting it past Nebraska Wesleyan goalkeeper Turner Mead for the final goal of the match.
With his two goals today, McGarrity has now tallied 11 goals so far this season, easily tops among MIAC players. He also moved into a tie for fourth place on Carleton’s single-season scoring list.
Keenan Smith (So./Madison, Wis./West) made his third start in goal for the Knights and registered three saves in keeping a clean sheet.
Carleton returns to conference action on the road against Macalester College on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
