NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College men's soccer team lost the 2024 edition of the Northfield Derby, going down 2-0 to crosstown rival St. Olaf College.
 
The Oles (7-3-1, 3-0-0 MIAC) survived a couple of early attempts from the Knights (5-3-3, 1-3-0 MIAC) and struck first in the 18th minute. Clemente Arcuch Puig dribbled across the top of the box and the ball was poked away but rolled towards Charlie Piller, whose shot deflected of a Carleton defender and looped into the top left corner.
 
Then in the 32nd minute, St. Olaf took a free kick quickly, before the Carleton defense reset. Shea Bechtel curled a cross to the back post, and before the Knights could regroup, Jack Soares tucked a header into the net for an insurance second goal.
 
The Knights tried 15 shots in the game, two more than the hosts, and held a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks, but they were unable to break through the staunch St. Olaf defense. Perhaps the best chance for Carleton came late, as Owen Flanagan had space 20 yards out and tried to curl a low shot on net, but goalkeeper Peter Forseth made a sprawling save to his right and scrambled to the loose rebound before a Knight could arrive on the scene..
 
Ben Pennell and Briggs Priem put three shots apiece toward the net, and Daniel Linder made four saves.
 
This is the first time Carleton has suffered consecutive losses since Sept. 5-8, 2022. It is also the first set of back-to-back MIAC defeats since Sept. 16-22, 2017.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton returns home, with both an alumni game (10:00 A.M.) and a varsity game set for Saturday, Oct. 5. The College of St. Scholastica will be the opponent for the 3:30 P.M. kickoff.