NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Not even three minutes into the contest, centerback Neil Bartholomay (Fy./St. Paul, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall) slotted home a shot that gave the Carleton College men’s soccer team a 1-0 victory over visiting University of St. Thomas. The win was the Knights eighth in their last nine games.
“This was a good team effort,” said Carleton head coach Bob Carlson. “The back line played really well against a dangerous attacking team.”
Carleton (9-3-1 overall) scored its goal off a corner kick situation. Senior midfielder Wes Elfman (Madison, Wis./Edgewood) delivered the corner to the penalty-kick mark, where Miles Silbert (Jr./St. Louis Park, Minn.) headed it toward the left side, perfectly feeding Bartholmay for a quick shot past the surprised St. Thomas goalie, setting the stage for a fast-paced and combative match.
Both Carleton and St. Thomas played aggressive defense to seize possession, leading to a high foul count of 11 and 21, respectively. A total of five yellow cards were handed out as well. However, this did not completely stifle the offenses as St. Thomas attempted 18 shots and Carleton tried 15.
The Tommies had dangerous chances in both halves. In the early going, a Mike Hutton free kick was loose in the box, but no one for St. Thomas could clean it up. Hutton nearly tallied the equalizer in the 54th minute as his counter-attack shot deflected off the left post and away from danger.
While trying to contain the St. Thomas, Carleton created several close attempts for another goal. Elfman launched a high shot on a free kick in the 42nd minute that cleared the defenders and the goalie only to drift just wide of the far post. Silbert had a couple of transition opportunities that went begging as well. Following a scrum in the box, Will Corcoran’s (Fy./Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi) shot in the final minute was cleared off the line by a Tommie defender.
Carleton keeper Pete Semmer (Sr./Del Mar, Calif./Bishop's School) made eight saves in posting his 30th career shutout. At the other end of the pitch, Alex Benson had four stops.
The triumph moves Carleton to 6-1-1 in the MIAC, and coupled with Gustavus Adolphus’ 1-0 road victory at Macalester College, the Knights are now in control of their own destiny as they pursue a fourth consecutive conference crown.
The Knights host Augsburg College on Saturday, Oct. 16. Carleton is ranked No. 7 in the central region with the Auggies listed at No. 9.
Video recap now available.
