DECORAH, Iowa – An unassisted goal by first year forward
John Albright (Minnetonka, Minn./Minnetonka) in the 72nd minute was all the Macalester College men's soccer team needed to defeat No. 25 Luther College, 1-0 in a non-conference game Friday night at Luther College Soccer Field. The result improves the 13th-ranked Scots to 1-0-1 on the season, while the Norse open the 2026 campaign with an 0-1 record.
After a scoreless first half, Macalester created the scoring chance with a Luther turnover in the midfield. Senior midfielder
Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine) sent a pass into the Norse penalty area that the defender intercepted and played back to goalkeeper Will Lookingbill, whose clearance popped into the air. Albright headed the ball from 10 yards out just inside the left post to put the Scots on top. The goal is the second in as many games for Albright, who tallied Macalester's lone goal in a tie at UW-Platteville on Tuesday.
Luther held a 9-4 edge in shots taken but none of the Norse's shots were on goal. Sophomore
Justin Ratner (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park) and senior
Drew Moseman (St. Paul, Minn./Central) each played one half in goal for the Scots. Lookingbill registered one save for Luther. The win avenges a 1-0 defeat to the Norse last year in St. Paul.
Macalester plays another strong regional foe in Wartburg College on Sunday, Sept. 6 in the Scots' home opener. The game starts at 3:00 p.m. at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium
