ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team continued its winning ways with a 4-0 victory over Bethel University in a MIAC game Saturday afternoon at Ona Orth Field. The win is the third in a row for the 18th-ranked Scots, who are now 9-3-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference. The Royals drop to 3-9-2, 1-5-1 MIAC.

The win clinches a spot in the MIAC Playoffs for Macalester, which has qualified for the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. The Scots currently sit in second place with 18 points.

Macalester broke a scoreless tie in the 27th minute with a goal by senior midfielder Max Abramson (Del Mar, Calif./Canyon Crest Academy), his first of the season. Junior midfielder Jamel Benhamida (Faribault, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary's) had the assist. Just before halftime, the Scots benefitted from an own goal by Bethel to take a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

In the second half, Macalester kept up the pressure, scoring a pair of goals four minutes apart. Senior forward Danny Baumann (Waterford, Wis./Muskego) scored off an assist from senior midfielder Jake Burke (Dublin, Ireland/Shattuck-St. Mary's) in the 55th minute. Burke now leads the Scots with four assists, while Baumann has three goals on the season. Then in the 59th minute, junior midfielder Seth Kofman (Moraga, Calif./Campolindo) tallied an unassisted goal, his third of the year, for a 4-0 lead.

The Scots held a 13-4 advantage in shots, including an 8-1 edge in shots on frame. Junior goalkeeper Colton Wenig (Bartlett, Ill./South Elgin) played 84 minutes and made one save, with junior goalkeeper Elo Wittig (Knoxville, Tenn./Webb School of Knoxville) playing the final six minutes. Jakob Bartels recorded four saves for the Royals.

Macalester hosts Luther College on Sunday, Oct. 15 in a key regional match-up. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. at Macalester Stadium.