INDIANOLA, Iowa – Four different players found the back of the net as the Carleton College (5-1-3) men's soccer team picked up its second win of the weekend, this one a 4-1 triumph at non-conference opponent Simpson College. It was also the 300th career victory for Carleton head coach
Bob Carlson.
Carlson is in his 27th season and 28th year guiding the Knights program. He owns a career record of 300-150-53 (.649) and is 1 of 16 active NCAA Division III men's soccer coach to collect at least 300 career victories (see chart below). His.649 career win percentage ranks ninth among that group, and Carlson is 1 of only 7 active D-III coaches to reach 300 victories while spending his entire head coaching career at one school.
"Humbling feeling," said Carlson. "So grateful for all the players, coaches, families, and everyone connected with the Carleton Men's Soccer community. Every win here is a team win, and from September of 1997 to September of 2024, terrific players and assistant coaches have earned each and every single one of those 300.
"So many thank you's.…my parents…my pops was at win No. 1 and was with me in spirit for No. 300… and my 91-year-old mom watching online tonight. Cathy and Sam and Emma's unwavering love and encouragement makes all this possible, too.
"So appreciative of our players' families. They have been so supportive and raised such exceptional people. And, again 'Thank You' to every single player that has donned the Knight soccer jersey, and 'Thank You' to my stellar assistant coaches. On to the next one and the journey to 300 more!"
Carlson came to Northfield in 1997 and notched victory No. 1 on Sept. 3 (a 3-2 overtime victory over Viterbo University). He reached 100 career triumphs with a 2-1 result against Grinnell College on Oct. 23, 2002. Win No. 200 came against Carlson's alma mater, St. Olaf College, on Nov. 1, 2014. His 300 career wins are more than triple the next-closest victory total in Carleton Men's Soccer history (see chart below).
The scoring in Carlson's 300th career win opened in the 10th minute.
Owen Flanagan delivered a corner kick to the back post, and centerback
Alexander Grosse headed it through the gap between the goalkeeper and the left post to record his first career goal.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute. After a series of connected passes within the attacking third for Carleton,
Briggs Priem laid the ball off for
Jonathan Vonderlage, who's 30-yard shot glanced off the keepers' fingertips and inside the right post. It was Vonderlage's first goal of the campaign and the sixth of his career.
Simpson (4-3-0) tried to increase the intensity after intermission and was rewarded in the 57th minute. A Carleton turnover led to transition opportunity, and Tate Downs sent a through ball that sprung Mitchel Dickson for a breakaway goal that pulled the Storm within 2-1.
The Knights got some breathing room in the 74th minute.
Dylan Stiffler slid the ball over to Flanagan, who uncorked a 25-yard shot into the back of the net. It was his team-best fifth goal of the season and fourth over the last five games.
Stiffler put the game out of reach in the 80th minute, tallying his first career goal as he headed home a service from
Hays Turner.
The Storm held an 18-15 edge in shots attempted, but the Knights owned an 8-6 edge in shots on goal as well as a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton hosts Bethel University on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m.
Active NCAA D-III Men's Soccer coaches with 300+ career victories
| Coach |
Seasons |
Current Institution |
W |
L |
T |
Win Pct |
| *Jay Martin |
47 |
Ohio Wesleyan |
766 |
167 |
82 |
.795 |
| *Paul McGinlay |
34 |
Trinity (TX) |
557 |
95 |
46 |
.831 |
| *Jon Anderson |
38 |
Babson |
457 |
201 |
91 |
.671 |
| *Erick Baumann |
30 |
Dominican (IL) |
454 |
117 |
48 |
.772 |
| Ralph Perez |
36 |
Redlands |
426 |
208 |
70 |
.655 |
| *Pepe Fernandez |
36 |
Maryville (TN) |
416 |
191 |
51 |
.671 |
| *Lenny Armuth |
30 |
Drew |
402 |
149 |
59 |
.707 |
| Bill Swartz |
37 |
Pomona-Pitzer |
349 |
266 |
44 |
.563 |
| Frank Olszewski |
40 |
Notre Dame (MD) |
345 |
274 |
68 |
.552 |
| Brent Ridenour |
25 |
Franciscan |
345 |
139 |
46 |
.694 |
| Kevin East |
26 |
Rutgers-Newark |
339 |
184 |
43 |
.637 |
| Shawn Griffin |
32 |
Hobart |
337 |
190 |
63 |
.625 |
| Helio D'Anna |
30 |
Brevard |
318 |
174 |
56 |
.631 |
| Mark Mettrick |
30 |
Gettysburg |
313 |
182 |
58 |
.618 |
| John DiRico |
29 |
Old Westbury |
303 |
171 |
61 |
.623 |
| *Bob Carlson |
27 |
Carleton |
300 |
150 |
53 |
.649 |
*-denotes spent entire head coaching career at one school
Carleton Men's Soccer Head Coaches (All-Time)
| Years |
Coach |
W |
L |
T |
Win Pct. |
| 1963-65, 1967-84 |
John Dyer-Bennet |
95 |
76 |
30 |
.547 |
| 1966 |
Burdette Loomis |
4 |
1 |
1 |
.750 |
| 1985-89 |
Jerry Kesler |
32 |
34 |
7 |
.486 |
| 1990-91 |
Christian Akale |
13 |
15 |
2 |
.467 |
| 1992-93 |
R.J. Anderson |
16 |
11 |
6 |
.576 |
| 1994-96 |
Florin Marton |
20 |
25 |
7 |
.452 |
| 1997-present |
Bob Carlson |
300 |
150 |
53 |
.649 |
|
TOTAL |
480 |
312 |
106 |
.594 |
