NORTHFIELD Minn. – He might only be a sophomore, but Branden McGarrity (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) got caught up in the Senior Day festivities at Bell Field and scored a pair of goals as the Carleton College men’s soccer team notched a 2-0 triumph over the Hamline University Pipers.
McGarrity capitalized on help from his senior teammates, notching goals assisted by Ben Walsh (Sr./New Canaan, Conn./St. Paul’s School) and Will Corcoran (Sr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) en route to the Knights’ fourth straight win with the team going 8-0-1 over the last month.
Carleton (11-1-3, 5-1-1 MIAC) struck in the fifth minute, when McGarrity was sprung through the backline on a well-placed pass from Walsh. McGarrity took it inside the 18 and finished past the keeper into the center of the net to give the Knights the advantage.
McGarrity converted again in the 31st minute. In transition, Corcoran perfectly placed a ball for McGarrity inside the 18. McGarrity took two dribbles and curled the ball into the upper left hand corner to put the Knights out in front, 2-0.
Hamline (3-9-1, 0-6-1 MIAC) struggled to control the ball and move forward against the Knights’ defense, as the Pipers were outshot 19-3 over the course of the match and did not register a shot on goal.
Carleton goalkeeper James Neher (Sr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) had a rather uneventful day as his back line kept him from being forced to make a single save and yet completed his 15th career shutout.
Today also marked the final home game for seniors Walsh, Corcoran, Neher, Simon Ginet (Arlington, Mass./Arlington), Michael Hovick (Clive, Iowa/West Des Moines Valley), and Joey Pedtke (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township).
“Those guys made this program great, and they kept it great,” said Carleton head coach Bob Carlson. “They have worked exceptionally hard for four years. They’ve done some great things on the field, but more importantly they are great guys and great people.”
So far during the seniors time with the program, the Knights have gone 51-16-8 (.733), made three trips to the postseason, captured two MIAC regular-season crowns, and earned a trip to the NCAA Championships.
Carleton will spend the remainder of their regular season on the road, starting with the long trip to take on Concordia-Moorhead on Saturday, Oct. 26.
