ST. PAUL, Minn. – A goal by junior forward Zach Liptzin (Denver, Colo./Northfield) just 2:17 into the match sparked the Macalester College men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Illinois Wesleyan in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Saturday afternoon at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium. The Scots improve to 16-4 on the season with their ninth win in a row and will host UW-Eau Claire on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3:00 p.m. The Titans end their season at 13-3-4.

Before the numerous fans from both sides could settle into their seats at Macalester Stadium, the Scots broke through. Junior forward Chris Frantz (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) sent a through ball to junior midfielder Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine), who centered it across the face of the goal. Liptzin ran onto the ball and scored with his first touch, sending the Macalester supporters into a frenzy. It was Liptzin's eighth goal and Blattman's 12 assist of the season.

The score remained 1-0 until the 76th minute. First year midfielder Milan Shah (Chicago, Ill./Francis W. Parker) slipped a pass forward to first year midfielder Kuba Ferguson (Houston, Texas/Mirabeau B. Lamar), whose shot tipped off goalkeeper Sam Kedzior's hands and into the goal for a 2-0 advantage. The rookie connection proved necessary, as the Titans found the net in the 89th minute on a goal by Ryder Coleman off a corner kick. But it was not enough to prevent Macalester from advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009.

Junior goalkeeper Drew Moseman (St. Paul, Minn./St. Paul Central) played well but did not register a save in goal for the Scots. Kedzior finished with one save, as the teams both took eight shots.

Macalester hosts UW-Eau Claire in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 16. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium.

Tickets are $13 for adults and $6 for students with a valid ID. Children five and under are admitted free. Ticket sales will be handled exclusively online via Hometown Ticketing; cash will not be accepted. Fans can buy tickets in advance here.

Click here to view the entire NCAA Division III bracket

2025 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament
First and Second Round - Hosted by Macalester College
Saturday, Nov. 15
Macalester 2, Illinois Wesleyan 1 - box score
UW-Eau Claire 3, MSOE 0 - box score

Sunday, Nov. 16
UW-Eau Claire (12-2-4) vs. Macalester (16-4), 3:00 p.m. (video link to be announced following first round) | Live stats