MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team successfully started MIAC play with a 2-1 victory over Concordia College Saturday afternoon at Christiansen Stadium. The Scots, who are ranked sixth in the latest NSCAA North Region rankings, improve to 3-0-3 overall, while the Cobbers fall to 1-6, 0-2 MIAC.

Junior midfielder Charlie Spurr (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt) tallied his team-leading fourth goal of the season to give the Scots a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. Macalester extended its lead in the 16th minute, when junior forward Austin Burrows (Roseville, Calif. Jesuit) scored his third goal of the year. Concordia made it interesting with a goal in the 84th minute to make it a one-goal game, but the Scots held the Cobbers to just one shot the rest of the way to close out the victory.

Junior goalkeeper Zeke Vainer (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) made three saves, all in the second half, as Macalester enjoyed a 12-5 advantage in shots. Alan Scheuermann recorded five saves in goal for Concordia.

"Ultimately, when you win and the guys are disappointed it tells you a lot about the character of this team and the young men in the program," head coach Gregg Olson said. "We dominated the first 20 minutes and had the players contribute to the goals that you would hope provide the quality – Alan (Schembri-Wismayer), Charlie, and Austin. Unfortunately, our level dropped and Concordia created some moments in the second half to make it a shaky end to the game.
We walk away with some good ideas of where to improve and with something to prove to ourselves. That bodes well for our season."

The Scots host UM-Morris in a non-conference match on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Macalester Stadium.