COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Trevor Jones' (Jr./Urbandale, Iowa/Waukee) header in the 96th minute lifted the Carleton College men's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory in the regular-season finale at Saint John's University, clinching a first-round bye for the Knights in next week's MIAC Playoffs.
 
"Gritty performance by the entire roster to secure a massive three points in the standings," said Carleton head coach Bob Carlson. "Even in the celebration, I was thrilled to hear the guys not lose sight of the preparation for the next one and eager to get ready for the postseason."
 
Carleton (11-3-2, 8-2-0 MIAC) started the day tied with Gustavus Adolphus College for second in the standings, but the Gusties defeated Macalester earlier in the afternoon, meaning that the Knights needed a victory at Saint John's to secure a first-round bye. Meanwhile, the Johnnies (7-8-1, 4-6-0 MIAC) already knew that they were locked into the No. 6 seed.
 
Carleton got off to a hot start, dominating the shot advantage 7-1 in the opening frame, with the lone Johnnies attempt coming in the third minute. The Knights did not convert in the first half, as both of their shots on goal were saved.
 
The shot differential was not as stark in the second half, with the Knights taking eight shots to the Johnnies' six. Carleton thought they had the lead on one of those shots in the 71st minute. Reigning MIAC athlete of the week Charlie Hall (Sr./La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) was on the penalty stripe, after he netted three such goals in a comeback win against St. Scholastica seven days prior. Unfortunately, Hall's shot hit off the inside left post, keeping the game scoreless. The penalty kick was the best attempt either side would take in regulation.
 
The game remained scoreless until overtime. Early in the first overtime period, the Johnnies put a shot on net, but it was stopped by Alexei Thomas (Jr./Northwood, United Kingdom/Merchant Taylors School), his third save of the game.
 
Only a few minutes later, the Knights found the game winner. Blake Jones (Fy./Urbandale, Iowa/Waukee) flicked on a throw-in, directing the ball to Tarek Bos-Shadi (Sr./Kankakee, Ill./Bradley Bourbonnais) who did the same to Trevor Jones, who headed the ball into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the season and his second game-winner in three contests.
 
Thomas pitched his fourth shutout of the season and earned his eighth win in net for the Knights, who out-shot their hosts 16-8.
 
Up Next for the Knights
As the No 2 seed in next week's six-team MIAC Playoffs, Carleton will host a semifinal match on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 2:00pm. The opponent for that contest will be determined during the quarterfinals. The Knights have qualified for the MIAC Playoffs a conference-record 14 consecutive times.