ST. PAUL, Minn. – In a match between regionally-ranked teams, the Macalester College men's soccer team defeated Luther, 3-1 Tuesday night at Macalester Stadium. The Scots, who are ranked seventh in the NSCAA North Region rankings, improve to 5-0-4 on the season with the win, while the ninth-ranked Norse drop to 6-3-2.

Macalester opened the scoring in the 17th minute, when a foul was called on Luther in its own penalty area. Junior forward Austin Burrows (Roseville, Calif./Jesuit) buried the ensuing penalty kick for a 1-0 lead. Then in the 40th minute, sophomore midfielder Max Abramson (Del Mar, Calif./Canyon Crest Academy) put away a rebound off his own shot to put the Scots on top, 2-0. Just over a minute later, Aaron Fargo knocked home a loose ball from 10 yards out to cut the lead to 2-1 just before halftime.

In the second half, Macalester was able to restore its two-goal advantage off a corner kick in the 64th minute. A header from Burrows was saved by Norse goalkeeper Tommy Breen, but first year midfielder Clayton Smith (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) blasted the rebound past Breen.

Junior goalkeeper Zeke Vainer (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) recorded one save in the victory for Macalester, while Breen made three saves. The Scots outshot the Norse, 10-5 for the game.

"That's a great result against a regional power," head coach Gregg Olson said. "The second-half adjustments in the way the guys competed gave us the edge to win this tough game."


Macalester returns to MIAC play with a match against St. Olaf on Saturday, Oct. 3. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at Macalester Stadium.