Photo gallery by Niko Duffy ’13 and Russ Aguilar ’13 – coming soon
NORTHFIELD, Minn. – A trio of second-half scores helped the Carleton College men’s soccer team pull away from the University of St. Thomas as the Knights posted a 4-0 victory that moved them into a tie atop the MIAC standings. Midfielder Alex Voorhees (Sr./Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) tallied an assist and his fifth goal of the season, a long-range shot shortly after halftime.
Carleton (15-1-1, 7-1-1 MIAC)—ranked No. 13 in today’s NSCAA national poll—moves into a tie with Gustavus Adolphus College for first place in the conference. The victory, coupled with a Saint John’s tie tonight versus Hamline, clinches the Knights’ spot in next week’s MIAC Playoffs.
Carleton possessed an 11-3 advantage in shots during the first half, finally breaking through in the 41st minute. Centerback Neil Bartholomay (Jr./St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) chased down an errant corner kick and sent a high ball over the St. Thomas back line. Branden McGarrity (Fy./Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) positioned himself, waited for the bounce, then slammed the ball into the left side of the net for his MIAC-best 18th goal of the year. Already the Carleton single-season record holder in goals scored, he is now 11th on the Knights’ career goal list.
Voorhees’ insurance goal came less than five minutes into the second half. Simon Ginet (Jr./Arlington, Mass./Arlington) played the ball back to the senior midfielder, who took a touch, then blasted a 25-yard shot that squarely struck the crossbar, then bounced off the back of the hand of the leaping St. Thomas goalkeeper and into the net.
The Knights maintained the offensive pressure and were rewarded again in the 56th minute. Will Corcoran (Jr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) took a feed on the left wing and sent a cross to the back post. Bartholomay headed the ball back in front to Ginet who notched his second diving header goal in as many games and his 12th score of the season, the fifth-highest single-season total in team history.
Carleton’s fourth goal came in the 63rd minute. Voorhees served the ball in from the right side, and centerback Devin Tomson-Moylan (So./St. Paul, Minn./Central) climbed the ladder to head home his second goal in the last four games.
Thanks in part to the defensive effort by the Carleton backline of Bartholomay, Tomson-Moylan, Trent Elmore (Fy./Bloomington, Ind./Phillips Exeter Academy) and Brian Rhodes (Sr./Kalamazoo, Mich./Mattawan), James Neher (Jr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) was able to record the Knights’ fourth consecutive shutout.
Carleton finished with a 19-8 edge in shot attempts. The Tommies best chance came in the closing moments but a penalty kick sailed well high.
The Knights are unbeaten over their last 12 matches, outscoring the opposition 40-6 over this span. The 15 victories is tied with the 2009 squad for the second-highest win total in team history, trailing only the 17-win season during the Knights’ run to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2008 NCAA Championships.
Carleton will host cross-town rival St. Olaf College in the last game of the regular-season on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. Much more than just revenge will be at play at Bell Field. While the Knights will be looking to avenge a pair of late-season setbacks to the Oles a year ago, this Carleton will be looking to capture the regular-season title, while St. Olaf is seeking a playoff berth and its chance to be co-champs once again.
-- With a win on Saturday, the Knights would earn the top seed in the MIAC Playoffs and at least a share of this year’s conference crown.
-- A tie for the Knights secures a first-round home game and might be enough grab at least a share of the title.
-- A loss on Saturday could drop the Knights to the third seed and a road game in the semifinal round of the playoffs.
Stay tuned, it should be a fun day of soccer! Knights Online will have live video of the Carleton-St. Olaf match.
