ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team received votes in the national Division III coaches poll conducted by the United Soccer Coaches, the organization announced today. The Scots, who also are ranked sixth in Region IX, wrapped up the regular season with a 5-1 win over Bethel last Friday to clinch second place in the MIAC.

Needing a win to secure the No. 2 seed and a bye in the MIAC Playoffs, Macalester took control with first-half goals from senior midfielder Ondieki Maina (Kensington, Calif./El Cerrito) and junior midfielder Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine). Maina and Blattman also found the net in the second half, as did first year midfielder Milan Shah (Chicago, Ill./Francis W. Parker), as the Scots won their sixth consecutive game. Macalester is now 13-4 overall while finishing with an 8-2 MIAC record, the most overall wins since 2016 and the highest conference win total since 2015.

Despite remaining on a hot streak, the Scots were moved down one spot to sixth in the regional rankings from last week's No. 5 ranking. Augsburg, which moved up to No. 2 in the national poll, takes over the top ranking in Region IX, followed by No. 4 St. Olaf, No. 19 Lake Forest, No. 21 UW-Eau Claire and Gustavus, who received votes in the national poll along with Macalester. Saint John's and UW-Whitewater remain at seventh and eighth, respectively in the Region IX rankings.

The Scots host fourth-seeded Gustavus in the semifinals of the MIAC Playoffs on Thursday, Nov. 6. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium.

Click here to view the national and regional rankings.