POST-MATCH INTERVIEW WITH BOB CARLSON, MARK ROTH, AND SPENCER WEEDEN
CHICAGO, Ill. – The scorching hot Carleton College men’s soccer team extend its unbeaten streak to 16 games with a 1-0 victory over Transylvania University in the first round of the NCAA Championships. Spencer Weeden (Jr./Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) scored the winning goal for the Knights, who will advance to take on the No. 3-ranked University of Chicago in the round of 32.
Throughout the opening-round contest of the national tournament, the pitch seemed to be tilted downhill towards the Pioneer’s (8-5-6) goal as Carleton (16-1-3) controlled possession. The Knights finished with a 19-2 advantage in shot attempts while holding an 8-2 margin in corner kicks.
In the first half, Carleton outshot Transylvania 10-2, yet struggled to find the breakthrough goal. The first great chance of the match came in the 26th minute when the Knights sent a corner kick into the box and a mad scramble ensued. Ultimately Marco da Cunha (Fy./San Francisco, Calif./San Francisco University) was able to get his toe on the ball and poke it out of the scrum to Henry Koelling (Fy./Ann Arbor, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) whose sliding effort forced a diving save from the Pioneer goalkeeper Drew Grisham.
In the 42nd minute, da Cunha had a great scoring chance himself when Brennan Johnson (So./Portland, Ore./Grant) slid a ball to him in the center of the box from the left wing, only for his shot to go straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
With mere moments left before halftime, it seemed that Transylvania had weathered the Carleton onslaught, only for Weeden to strike with less than 10 seconds left on the clock. Weeden had time and space when he got the ball from a few yards outside the box. He managed to take a few dribbles closer to the goal before curling his shot into the bottom right corner from straight on. The goal was his third of the season, and impressively also his third game-winning goal of the year.
In the second half the Knights were unable to extend their lead but managed to keep control. Despite facing an opponent needing a goal to keep its season alive, Carleton did not yield a shot over the final period.
Tarek Bos-Shadi (So./Bradley, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) was a dangerous threat down the left flank all night, and almost extended the lead with a blast in the 76th minute that was barely fought off by the goalie. Alvin Bierley (So./Santa Cruz, Calif./Leland) also had a great showing for the Knights and nearly curled in a shot in the 87th minute, but the ball skittered an inch away from the right post.
Aaron Forman (So./Los Angeles, Calif./Windward) performed impeccably in goal, earning his ninth shutout of the season.
This victory marks the first win in the NCAA tournament for Carleton since 2008 when the Knights knocked off UW-Platteville, 1-0.
The Knights will face host Chicago at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11 with the winner advancing on to the Sweet 16. Links to live video and stats can be found via Knights Online.
