NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Justin Crawmer's late goal ensured the No. 7-ranked Carleton College men's soccer team won an eventful match 2-1 over the visiting Macalester College Scots. The Knights improved to 12-1-0 overall (6-1-0 MIAC), tied for the eighth-most victories in program history.
 
Macalester (7-2-4, 3-2-2 MIAC), which is receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll, looked threatening in the moments following the opening whistle, but Carleton weathered the storm and struck first in the fifth minute. Owen Flanagan whipped a left-footed corner kick into the box, which Crawmer flicked towards the back post. Ben Pennell took the ball down and delivered the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle. It was his team-leading 10th goal of the year, tied for the ninth-highest single-season total in program history.
 
Pennell had a chance to double the lead just ten minutes later, as he struck a 15-yard volley on the half-turn towards goal, but Macalester goalkeeper Sam Price stuck a leg out to keep the score 1-0.
 
Disaster then nearly struck late in the first half, as the Knights looked to send a back pass to Daniel Linder in goal, but Scots' striker Hans Haenicke jumped onto the ball. The two-time all-conference performance was all alone with Linder, but the senior netminder averted the danger by leaping onto the ball after Haenicke took a heavy touch.
 
Macalester started the second frame strongly, much like the first, offering a couple shots then winning a corner kick in the 55th minute. Carleton cleared the first ball, but Zade Alafranji picked up possession at the top of the box. Alafranji rifled in a shot that Alexander Grosse blocked, but Ian Staresinic picked up the rebound and sent a shot that somehow wove through the bodies in front of goal and found the far corner for the equalizer.
 
The Scots appeared energized by the tying goal and had the better of the game for a period. Carleton offered a couple of long-range looks, but they either sailed over the crossbar or were saved by Price. However, the 71st minute would find the difference for the Knights. Crawmer received a throw from Linder in stride, and the senior left-back combined with a pair of Knights down the wing to author a rapid counterattack. Crawmer took the ball all the way into the box, and tucked a left-footed shot just inside the far post to give the Knights a 2-1 advantage.
 
Just six minutes later, Carleton would receive some help in their quest to close out the game as Alafranji tripped up Jeremiah Lanzillo from behind, drawing a straight red card from the pocket of the referee.
 
Down to 10 men, Macalester was nearly undone in the minute after, as Riaz Kelly made a run up from his right-back position and laid a low cross onto the penalty spot, where Briggs Priem hammered the ball inches wide of the post.
Macalester rebounded after the close shave, as Haenicke rung the woodwork five minutes after the card, and Kasdan Blattman tried a shot on a 30-yard free kick that Linder saved. The Scots were effectively dashed in the 88th minute, as Haenicke clattered Trevor Jones over with a late, hard tackle that earned Haenicke a straight red card.
 
With the two-man advantage, Carleton whiled away the closing minutes and earned three more crucial points in the MIAC standings with two-and-a-half weeks remaining in the regular season.
 
The matchup of the two talented sides saw Carleton lead in shots 16-11, shots on goal 9-4, and corners 8-5.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton takes on Hamline University in St. Paul on Saturday, Oct. 14. Kickoff Is set for 1:00 PM
 
Most Wins in single season
Year  --  W-L-T (Win Pct.)
2008  --  17-2-3 (.841)
2012  --  17-2-2 (.857)
2018  --  16-2-3 (.833)
2009  --  15-5-0 (.750)
2013  --  15-3-3 (.786)
2019  --  14-5-1 (.725)
2021  --  13-4-2 (.737)
2011  --  12-6-2 (.650)
2023  --  12-1-0 (.923)
 
Most Goals (Single Season) in Carleton Men's Soccer history
1.   19 -- Branden McGarrity -- 2012
2.   15 – Ron Sanders – 1963
3.   13 – Mario Small – 1967
3.   13 – George Monyemangene – 1987
5.   12 – Simon Ginet – 2012
6.   11 – Ken Tape – 1998
6.   11 – Branden McGarrity -- 2013
6.   11 – Marco da Cunha – 2018
9.   10 – Are Aristides – 1981
9.   10 – Bobby Phillips – 2006
9.   10 – Tim Wills – 2010
9.   10 – Tim Wills – 2011
9.   10 – Ben Pennell – 2023