ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team closed out the regular season with a 2-0 victory over Bethel University in a MIAC match Friday night at Macalester Stadium. With the win, the Scots (12-3-3) clinch second place in the MIAC with a 6-2-2 mark in conference play. The Royals end their season at 9-8-1, 3-6-1 MIAC.

In the 21st minute, junior midfielder Zach Moore (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) collected a pass from senior forward Austin Burrows (Roseville, Calif./Jesuit) and scored from about 20 yards out for a 1-0 lead. Bethel pressed for the equalizer, registering 10 shots after halftime. In the 58th minute, the Royals had their best scoring chance when a shot by Kevin Hintz hit the post.

Macalester was able to net an insurance goal in the 86th minute on Moore's second goal of the game and fourth of the season. Burrows again set up Moore, feeding him the ball from the left side. Moore took a long shot from 25 yards out that slipped through the hands of Bethel's Sam Asfahl and into the goal.

Senior goalkeeper Zeke Vainer (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) recorded four saves for his eighth shutout of the season and 29th of his career. Asfahl finished with two saves, as the Royals held a 15-11 edge in shots for the game.

The win also marked the final regular-season home game for seniors Burrows, Vainer, goalkeeper Nicholas Bascunan-Wiley (Raleigh, N.C./Sanderson), midfielder Nathan Rackstraw (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman), midfielder Charlie Spurr (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt), forward Nick Sorenson (Wausau, Wis./East) and midfielder Elliot Weiss (Florence, Mass./Northampton).

The Scots receive a bye into the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs and will host a game on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Macalester Stadium. Game time and the opponent have yet to be determined, with four MIAC regular-season games to be played on Saturday, Oct. 29.