ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team hosted Wartburg College in the home opener, tying 1-1 in a non-conference game Sunday afternoon at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium. The 13th-ranked Scots remain unbeaten at 1-0-2 on the season, with the Knights also having an identical 1-0-2 mark following an exciting regional match-up.
The game remained scoreless late into the second half, until senior midfielder
Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine) showed why he was a second team All-American last season. In the 81st minute, Blattman received the ball just on Macalester's side of midfield, dribbled through three defenders about 35 yards out, stymied two more defenders near the top of the penalty area and fired a shot inside the right post with his left foot. The highlight-reel goal was his first of the season and 12th as a Scot.
The lead didn't last long, as Wartburg quickly tied the score on a goal by Jacob Chickering in the 83rd minute. A long throw-in from Devin Bormann was headed on by Rentse De Jong to Chickering, who scored from eight yards out to tie the score at 1-1. Neither team was able to tally the go-ahead goal over the final seven minutes, resulting in a tie.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Justin Ratner (Dallas, Texas/Highland Park) registered five saves for the Scots, while Joseph Svoboda made six saves for the Knights. Both teams took 10 shots, with Macalester putting seven shots on goal compared to six for Wartburg.
Macalester doesn't play until next Sunday, Sept. 13, when they travel to face UW-Whitewater for another regional match. The game starts at 4:00 p.m. in Whitewater, Wis.
