Photo gallery by Quinn Batten '17
NORTHFIELD, Minn. – It was Branden McGarrity’s (So./Glenview, Ill./Glenview South) goal off a direct kick that proved the game winner, but a dominant Knights defense contributed greatly as the Carleton College men’s soccer team shutout the visiting squad from Saint Mary’s University, 2-0.
“The defensive wall has been playing really great, and that allows us to allow some other guys to get forward,” said Knights head coach Bob Carlson.
Carleton (4-1-2, 1-1 MIAC) controlled the first half of play, tallying 13 shots while Saint Mary’s (3-3-1, 0-2 MIAC) was unable to attempt one. While he Knights kept knocking at the door of the goal, they were unable to gain entrance until the 64th minute.
Lining up to take a 35-yard free kick, McGarrity launched the ball over the defensive wall and past the outstretched arms of Cardinal keeper Joey Petrich into the upper corner, to give the Knights the advantage. For McGarrity it was his 21st career goal, moving him into sole possession of eighth place in team history.
Carleton would put the game out of reach in the 82nd minute, when forward Will Corcoran (Sr./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) took a pass and dribbled inside the 18. Lifting the ball in the air, he connected with senior Ben Walsh (New Canaan, Conn./St. Paul’s School) who headed the ball over the keeper into the net for his first score of the year.
Carleton’s defense proved nigh-impenetrable on the pitch, with a final shot tally of 21-4 in favor of the Knights. The Cardinals did not record their first shot until the 84th minute of the contest. Goalkeeper Keenan Smith (Jr./Madison, Wis./West) tallied three saves while recording his fourth career shutout.
The Knights return to action on Bell Field on Tuesday, Sept. 21 for a non-conference matchup against Bethany Lutheran College at 4:00 p.m. Live stats and video will be available via Knights Online.
