PHOTO GALLERY by Quinn Batten ’17, Emily Ross ’17, and Zoe Abdel-Moneim ’15
NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Danny Leal’s (So./Rice Lake, Wis./Rice Lake) 41st-minute goal proved to be the game winner as the Carleton College men’s soccer team defeated the University of St. Thomas, 2-0, in the MIAC Playoffs Quarterfinals.
Carleton (10-6-2) and St. Thomas (9-8-2) had played a double-overtime match on Bell Field seven days ago, a contest the Knights won, 1-0.
Today’s match started out with similar drama as the teams battled for possession. Shortly before halftime, Leal broke the deadlock when he ran onto a long ball delivered by Riley Phelps (So./Bowling Green, Ky./Bowling Green). Leal headed the ball into space. As the St. Thomas goalkeeper made a late charge off his line, Leal’s sliding shot curled into the upper left corner of the net, staking the Knights to the lead.
It remained a one-goal contest until the 86th minute when Reed Cammarota (Jr./Neenah, Wis./Neenah) provided the Knights with a little breathing room. A free kick was headed by a Tommie defender right to Cammarota, who was unmarked at the top of the box. The Carleton midfielder immediately chipped a shot over the keeper and under the crossbar for his third tally of the season.
Carleton out-shot the Tommies, 12-5, including a trio of terrific chances by Branden McGarrity (Jr./Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) that were narrowly off target.
Keenan Smith (Sr./Madison, Wis./West) registered his seventh shutout of the year as he was required to make only a single save.
The result advances Carleton to the MIAC Playoffs Semifinal at Gustavus Adolphus College on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. A link to live video is available via Knights Online.
