ST. PAUL, Minn. – A goal by senior midfielder Ondieki Maina (Kensington, Calif./El Cerrito) in the 81st minute lifted the Macalester College men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over UW-Eau Claire  in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Sunday afternoon at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium. The Scots (17-4), who have won 10 straight, are headed to the Sweet 16 next weekend. The Blugolds end their season at 13-3-4.

After a scoreless first half, things heated up in the 62nd minute. Maina attacked down the left side and was brought down inside the left edge of the penalty area. Junior midfielder Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine) took the ensuing penalty kick and beat Blugolds' goalkeeper Charlie Mroz to his right for a 1-0 Scots' lead. A little over two minutes later, Carmelo Kasim crossed the ball into the middle for Tate McDermott, who hit the ball with his first touch into the goal to tie the score at 1-1.

Both teams had excellent scoring chances following the goals. A point-blank shot by first year midfielder Kuba Ferguson (Houston, Texas/Mirabeau B. Lamar) was saved by Mroz, then a free kick from Ramzi Ouro from just outside the penalty area was punched away by first year goalkeeper Justin Ratner (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park). Ratner also snuffed out a centering pass by Ouro in the 73rd minute.

Then in the 81st minute, junior forward Zach Liptzin (Denver, Colo./Northfield) lofted a corner kick from the left corner to the other side of the field. Junior defender Charles Wriedt (St. Paul, Minn./St. Paul Central) headed the ball back into the middle, where junior forward Chris Frantz (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) directed the ball to Maina. Maina left no doubt, burying a shot into the right side of the goal for the lead. It was the team-leading ninth goal of the season for Maina, who also rang a shot off the left post in the 85th minute. The Blugolds took a pair of shots shortly after Maina's goal but were unable to equalize this time.

Ratner registered two saves while limiting UW-Eau Claire's chances in the penalty area. Mroz also had two saves, as the Blugolds held a narrow 13-12 edge in shots taken.

Macalester will play Wheaton (Mass.) in the third round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The date and location of the game has yet to be announced. Check back at athletics.macalester.edu and NCAA.com for updated information.

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
Macalester 2, Eau Claire 1 - box score