NORTHFIELD, Minn. – With goals from Branden McGarrity (So./Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) and Jordy Cammarota (Jr./Neenah, Wis./Neenah), the Carleton College men’s soccer team defeated Macalester College, 2-0, and ran its undefeated streak to eight straight games.
With the win, Carleton collected a valuable three points in the standings and pushed the Knights’ into a tie with St. Olaf for second place in the crowded conference race.
The Knights (10-1-3, 4-1-1 MIAC) dominated much of the game, holding a strong advantage in possession and racking up a significant 20-6 upper hand in shots taken. Carleton keeper James Neher (Sr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) posted his 14th career shutout behind a Knights defense that was lights out all afternoon. Carleton’s backline turned in yet another solid effort, with Macalester (6-6-2, 2-3-2 MIAC) especially struggling to get anything going against Trent Elmore (So./Bloomington, Ind./Phillips Exeter Academy) and All-American Neil Bartholomay (Sr./St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall).
Offensively, Carleton got things started in the 19th minute when a ball in the box was cleared out by a Scot right to the foot of Kurt Heise (Deerfield, Mass./Deerfield). The sophomore defender lifted a perfectly placed ball back into the right side of the box, where McGarrity was waiting in position to head the ball past the Macalester keeper and into the back of net. The goal proved to be the game winner and was also the 26th of McGarrity’s young career, moving him into sole-possession of third place in team history. He also inched into fifth place on the school’s all-time career points list.
Carleton had several other terrific chances to tally an insurance goal but was unable to do so until Cammarota notched a brilliant left-footed goal in the 71st minute. Similar to his strike last week against Saint John’s, the Knights midfielder possessed the ball on the right side of the pitch at the top of the penalty box, took a few strong touches to his left, and blasted a low shot by Zeke Vainer, the Scots’ goalkeeper.
The Knights’ final home match of the regular season will take place this Saturday against the Hamline Pipers. It will be Senior Day at Bell Field, with special recognition given to the seven seniors on the roster. The match is set to kick off at 1:00 pm. Live stats and video coverage will be provided on Knights Online.
