ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team is ranked fourth in Region IX this week by the United Soccer Coaches, who announced the first in-season rankings of the 2026 season today. The Scots have started the season 1-0-3, including Sunday's scoreless tie at UW-Whitewater.

Againsts UW-Whitewater, sophomore goalkeeper Justin Ratner (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park) registered eight saves for his first collegiate shutout. The performance earned him MIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 14. Earlier this season, the Scots drew 1-1 with UW-Platteville, ranked sixth in the region, beat Luther, ranked seventh regionally, 1-0, and tied eighth-ranked Wartburg, 1-1.

MIAC institutions hold four of the top five spots in this week's Region IX rankings, including top-ranked St. Olaf, who is No. 2 in the national rankings. Saint John's, ranked 20th nationally, is second in the region, Macalester is fourth and Augsburg is fifth. UW-Eau Claire, the Scots' opponent on Sept. 16, is ranked third in the region.

Macalester takes on UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in a key regional match-up. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. in Eau Claire, Wis.

Click here to view the Region IX rankings.