ST. PAUL, Minn. – A four-goal first half catapulted the Macalester College men's soccer team to a 6-0 victory at Hamline University in a MIAC match Saturday afternoon at Pat Paterson Field. The win clinches a spot in the MIAC Playoffs for the Scots, who improve to 12-4 overall and 6-3 in conference play. The Pipers drop to 13-5 overall and 4-5 in the MIAC.

It took just 32 seconds to know how this day was going to go for Macalester, as sophomore forward Cody Da (Rockville, Md./Richard Montgomery) one-timed a pass from sophomore midfielder Elijah Edelman (Portland, Ore./Cleveland) into the net for a quick 1-0 lead. In the 12th minute, junior midfielder Ondieki Maina (Kensington, Calif./El Cerrito) stole a pass on the left side, dribbled in and scored from 15 yards out. Sophomore forward Chris Frantz (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) finished a cross from senior forward Hans Haenicke (Lisle, Ill./Benet Academy) in the 21st minute, then senior forward Grant Luce (Seattle, Wash./Ballard) set up sophomore midfielder Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellermine), who scored near post from the left in the 28th minute to close out the first-half scoring.

Macalester allowed four shots in the second half, but none of those shots were on goal. Meanwhile, a pair of Scots scored their first career goals after halftime. In the 78th minute, Luce stole the ball at midfield and passed the ball to first year midfielder Noah Haupt (Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) who slid the ball just inside the right post. Then in the 81st minute, first year defender Karson Sammons (Portland, Ore./Westview) knocked in a rebound off a shot from first year midfielder Keane Palmer (Honolulu, Hawaii/Iolani School).

For the game, Macalester took 19 shots and put 13 on frame, while none of Hamline's seven shots found the target.

The Scots will wrap up the regular season on Friday, Nov. 1 with a home game against Augsburg University. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium.