NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Behind a 73rd-minute goal by Sam Isaacman, the Carleton College men's soccer team prevailed 1-0 over No. 10-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College, handing the defending conference champs their first regular-season loss since Oct. 16, 2021, and snapping the Gusties' 26-game undefeated streak in regular season play.
 
"Getting three points in the MIAC is always massive, especially against [Gustavus], who's so well-drilled, so well-coached," said Carleton head coach Bob Carlson. "I thought, especially in the first half, we played some of our best soccer of the season. I'm really proud of this team, not just for the guys who play, but every guy on the roster. They're the ones who work so hard in practice that really help us."
 
Carleton (5-0-0, 1-0-0 MIAC) started strongly, notching four shots before the Gustavus Adolphus (2-1-2, 0-1-0 MIAC) sent its first in. The opening Gustavus opportunity came in the 26th minute, and it was a dangerous one as midfielder Sam Just found himself alone 12 yards out. Knights' goalkeeper Daniel Linder was perfectly positioned, however, and got down quickly to deny the low shot.
 
The first half ended without much further incident, with the two teams trading half-chances in a game that was tightly contested in the midfield. After the intermission, neither team could get much of a foothold still, until the 73rd minute when a pair of substitutes combined for the game's lone tally.
 
Hays Turner dribbled through the midfield, nutmegging a Gustie defender on his way into the 18-yard box. He slipped a ball through the Gustavus backline, and Isaacman pounced and swept the ball past All-American goalie Wesley Sanders into the far corner to make it 1-0. It was Isaacman's second career goal.
 
The game was far from over, though. Gustavus turned up the offensive pressure in search of the equalizer. The Gusties earned a trio of corner kicks in quick succession that the Knights were able to defend.
 
The visitors best scoring chance of the day came in the 85th minute when Otis Anderson sent a pinpoint ball to the back post but wide-open Gustie forward Alexander Krumenauer's one-timer sailed over the crossbar.
 
First-year Josh Zebrack made his first career start along the backline and performed well in helping the Knights defense to its fourth consecutive clean sheet, extending the squad's scoreless streak to 430 minutes. Linder registered three saves on the day, notching his third clean sheet of the year.
 
The Knights out-shot the Gusties, 15-11, with a narrow edge in both shots on goal (4-3) and corner kicks (6-5). Carleton held a 60-40 advantage in possession percentage.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hits the road to visit Concordia College-Moorhead for a 12:00 p.m. game on Saturday, Sept. 16.