EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Macalester College men's soccer team faced a difficult non-conference opponent in UW-Eau Claire on the road and suffered its first loss of the season, 4-1 Sunday night at Simpson Field. The result evens the Scots' 2024 record at 1-1, while the Blugolds, who advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament a year ago, are now 2-0.

In the sixth minute of the game, UW-Eau Claire jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal by Nathan Donovan. Macalester knotted the score at 1-1 in the 20th minute, when senior Hans Haenicke (Lisle, Ill./Benet Academy) found the net off a pass from sophomore forward Chris Frantz (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove). It was the first goal of the season for Haenicke, who now has 24 goals in his career as a Scot. Macalester had a golden opportunity to take the lead when a foul was called on Blugold goalkeeper Spencer Banks in the penalty area in the 34th minute. But Spencer saved Da's penalty kick, diving to his right to keep the game tied at 1-1.

UW-Eau Claire took control of the game midway through the second half. Donovan tallied his second goal of the game in the 66th minute, then assisted on Will Miers' goal just 1:57 later to give the Blugolds a commanding 3-1 advantage. Sam Lynch added a goal in the 82nd minute to complete the scoring.

Senior goalkeeper Sam Price (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) made six saves in goal for the Scots, while Banks registered five saves for UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds held a 14-8 advantage in shots.


Macalester begins its home schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 3 against Simpson College. The non-conference game begins at 4:30 p.m. at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium.