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Macalester's
Scott Petesch (Sr., Bethesda, Md. / Walter Johnson) scored the game's only goal as the Scots knocked off Carleton 1-0 in Northfield to win the MIAC men's soccer playoffs and earn a berth in the upcoming NCAA Division III championships. The bracket for the national playoffs will be announced Monday. The red-hot Scots have now won six in a row, all in must-win situations - to reach the NCAA's. This will be the 10th trip to the national post-season for the Mac men's program.
Macalester enters the national playoffs with a 12-7-1 mark after fighting back from a losing 6-7-1 record. The Scots knocked off a Carleton team which is the three-time MIAC regular-season champs. The Knights were 3-0-2 against Mac in the five previous match-ups between these two rivals.
Carleton is 15-5 and seeking an at-large bid into nationals.
Petesch put in his second goal of the season in the 61st minute off a cross from the end line on a pass from
Carson Gorecki (Sr., Mahtomedi, Minn.).
That gave the Scots the win despite a Carleton advantage in scoring opportunities. The Knights out-shot the visitors 7-3 on shots on net and enjoyed a 6-2 lead in corner kicks, but Mac goalkeeper
Mark Mullaney (Jr., Plymouth, Minn. / Robbinsdale Armstrong) outstanding, registering seven big saves to post the team’s seventh shutout of the season. All seven Mullaney saves came in the second half.
Macalester’s stingy defense has surrendered just three goals during the team’s six-match winning streak. Carleton had suffered just two shutout losses all season before today and is the MIAC’s highest-scoring team.
Mac captains (left to right) Nate Juergens, Carson Gorecki and Jake Rocke. (Caleb Williams for D3sports.com)