<ontinued their dream run into the MIAC with a historic week in which two different Knights set conference records. With two goals versus Cornell, and another against Northwestern, Tim Wills ’12 officially became the leading goal scorer in the history of the Carleton Men’s soccer program. In addition, Simon Ginet ’14 tied the program record for assists in a single game, notching three against Northwestern College on Tuesday.
Following their victory against Macalester last Wednesday, the Knights faced Gustavus Adolphus College. Ranked at 17th in the nation, Gustavus led the MIAC with an average of 3.62 goals per game, with at least one goal every match. Fortunately, the Knights’ defense seemed up to the task, with the backline of Derek Funk ’13, Neil Bartholomay ’14, Devin Tomson-Moylan ’15, and Brian Rhodes ’13 keeping Gustavus’ forwards from seriously challenging Carleton goalkeeper James Neher ’14. The second half saw an improved Gustavus side grow more and more dangerous in their attack, but excluding a shot off the crossbar midway through the half, each of the Gusties’ chances were pushed away by Neher, who played his best game of the season so far. Neher’s efforts kept the game scoreless, sending the Knights into overtime for the fourth time this season.
The Knights picked up the attack in overtime, registering seven shots on goal, but could not get the gamewinner. Their best chance occurred in the 108th minute, as Tim Wills passed to Nathan Park ’15, whose shot was blocked twice by Gustavus defenders. Although the Knights could not pull out the win, the tie ensured that they remain undefeated in the MIAC.
The Knights next looked for their second non-conference win of the season against the Cornell College Rams. The Knights got off to a blistering start in the second minute as Will Corcoran ’14 drove a cross to Jordan Cammarota ’15, who volleyed the ball into the net to give the Knights an early lead. The Knights doubled their lead ten minutes later, as Wills scored his 28th career goal off of a penalty kick. With the goal, Wills officially tied Bobby Phillips ’08 as the program’s leading goal scorer.
The Knights started the second half strongly with Ryan Cammarota ’12 and Wills scoring early on. Despite a goal by Cornell in the 65th minute, the Knights continued to fight, with Joe Waite ’13 nearly scoring off of a booming throw from Morgan Murphy ’13. A foul against Michael Hovick ‘14 allowed Alex Voorhees ’13 to score his first collegiate goal. Hovick himself notched his first career goal off an assist by Will Schifeling ’15.
The game was monumental for Wills, who scored his historic goal in the second half. Beginning from his collegiate debut against Lawrence University, Wills has taken only 70 games to reach 29 career goals. Already the career record holder in assists, Wills continues to cement his legacy as one of the best players ever to come through the Men’s soccer program. He is also a model player and teammate for those who aspire to succeed as a part of the Men’s soccer program. Wills’ efforts this week also earned him his first-ever MIAC Player of the Week award, topping off a historic week for the senior forward.
The busy stretch of games ended on Tuesday against Northwestern College, when the Knights’ offense scored six goals for the second consecutive game. After a strong start, Simon Ginet ’14 found Park, who tucked his shot into the side netting to hand the Knights a 1-0 lead. However, Northwestern, retaliated with a quick counter attack, allowing Edgar Renteria ’15 to volley past Neher for a shocking equalizer.
The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the 56th minute, when Ryan Cammarota found Ginet on the left-hand side. Ginet then passed to Wills, who slotted home his fifth goal of the season and the 30th goal of his illustrious career at Carleton. Only one minute later, Bartholomay played a quick give and go with Ginet, volleying a shot from 25 yards out to give the Knights a 3-1 lead. It was the first goal of the season for the towering central defender, who showed that he is just as good with his feet as he is with his head.
The onslaught continued two minutes later, with Voorhees’s beautiful cross leading to Jordan Cammarota’s second goal of the weekend. The reserves continued the standard of high play with both Shant Douzdijan ’15 and Schifeling notching their first collegiate goals. Joey Pedtke ’14 almost had his second assist of the match with a cross to Nick Jones ’14, but Jones’ miraculous header unfortunately volleyed off of the crossbar.
The Knights face their biggest test of the season on Saturday night against Augsburg College, currently ranked 15th in the NSCAA Coaches’ Poll. In a match that could easily determine the winner of the regular season MIAC championship, the Knights will look for redemption against the Auggies, who eliminated Carleton in the semi-final in last year’s MIAC playoffs in addition to beating them at Bell Field during the regular season. Following this pivotal MIAC contest against Augsburg, the Knights continue their MIAC campaign on Wednesday at home against St. Mary’s University. The match begins at 4 p.m.