ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team won its sixth straight game in convincing fashion with a 5-1 victory over Bethel University in the regular-season finale Friday night at a wet John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium. The win clinches second place in the conference standings and a first-round bye in the MIAC Playoffs for the Scots, who are now 13-4 overall and 8-2 in conference play. The Royals, who already secured a spot in the MIAC Playoffs, fall to 10-5-3, 5-4-1 MIAC.

Macalester also recognized its seniors Alex Beck-Ruiz (Oakland, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd), Parker Etzbach (Wilton, Conn./Wooster School), Nick Kent (St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Louis Park), Tanguy Lesegretain (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills), Ondieki Maina (Kensington, Calif./El Cerrito) and Daniel Romanenko (Los Angeles, Calif./Geffer Academy at UCLA) before their final home regular-season game.

In the 25th minute, Maina dribbled from the right side towards the middle of the field through multiple defender and fired a shot from 20 yards out past Bethel goalkeeper Griffin Blokker for a 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later, junior midfielder Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine) blasted a shot from 27 yards out into the upper right corner of the goal for a quick 2-0 advantage.

Early in the second half, Maina headed home a corner kick from Blattman for his second goal of the game. Then in the 55th minute, Maina returned the favor, finding Blattman on the left side. Blattman placed a shot inside the right post for his second goal of the night and a commanding 4-0 lead. First year midfielder Milan Shah (Chicago, Ill./Francis W. Parker) made it 5-0 in the 79th minute off a pass from Maina, who ended up with two goals and two assists on Senior Night. Bethel's Roy Kyle scored on a free kick in the 86th minute to prevent a Scots shutout.

Macalester held a 22-10 advantage in shots taken. First year goalkeeper Justin Ratner (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park) registered four saves in 75 minutes. Junior goalkeeper PJ Pozniak (Phoenixville, Pa./Spring-Ford) played the final 15 minutes.

The Scots will host a semifinal game in the MIAC Playoffs on Thursday, Nov. 6. Game time and opponent will be announced following Monday's quarterfinal games.