ST. PAUL, Minn. – Senior midfielder Charlie Spurr (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt) tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Macalester College men's soccer team to a 2-0 triumph over Saint John's University in the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs Wednesday night at Macalester Stadium. The Scots (13-3-3) now advance to the MIAC championship game against top-seeded St. Thomas.

Macalester, the tournament's No. 2 seed, opened the scoring early in the first half. Spurr's long throw-in in the 11th minute was headed by first year defender Max Kent (Minneapolis, Minn./St. Louis Park) to junior midfielder Max Abramson (Del Mar, Calif./Canyon Crest Academy). Abramson beat goalkeeper Nicholas French from six yards out for a 1-0 Scots' lead.

The Johnnies' comeback hopes took a serious blow when one of their players received his second yellow card of the game and was ejected in the 37th minute. Macalester took advantage and added an insurance goal in the 50th minute. Spurr stole the ball from a Saint John's player and unloaded a blast into the left side of the goal from 25 yards out. His three-point night gives him a team-best 15 points on the season.

Macalester held a commanding 16-5 edge in shots, as senior goalkeeper Zeke Vainer (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) was required to make one first-half save for his ninth shutout of the season. French finished with five saves for Saint John's.

Saturday's championship game at No. 12 St. Thomas marks the Scots' first appearance in the MIAC finals since the 2009 team won the title. The game begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., with the winner receiving an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

2016 MIAC Men's Soccer Tournament
Quarterfinals - Nov. 1
#6 Augsburg 2, #3 Gustavus 1
#5 Saint John's 3, #4 Carleton 0
Semifinals - Nov. 2
#2 Macalester 2, #5 Saint John's 0
#1 St. Thomas 1, #6 Augsburg 0 (OT)
Finals - Nov. 5
#2 Macalester (13-3-3) at #1 St. Thomas (15-1-3), 11 a.m.