NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Hays Turner and Alexander Grosse scored from the backline to provide the Carleton College men's soccer team an early lead, and a capper from forward Ben Pennell was enough to secure a 3-1 victory over the Simpson College Storm.
 
Simpson (0-1-2) had the game's first shot on goal, as Zach Kline hit a ninth-minute volley off the edge of his boot for a simple save by Leo Kugel. Less than a minute after that attempt, Grosse played a perfect long ball up for Turner, who crashed forward from his right-back position. Turner cut away from a Simpson defender to the inside and cracked into the far corner with his left for a 1-0 lead for Carleton (2-0-0).
 
A yellow-card foul just a foot outside of the box offered a prime opportunity for Carleton in the 14th minute. Jonathan Vonderlage stood over the ensuing dead-ball and whipped his delivery to the back post, where center-back Grosse was waiting to nod home Carleton's second goal, his fourth in maize and blue.
 
Simpson's former NCAA D-I goaltender Nate Hersom kept the Knights off the scoreboard for the next 54 minutes across the intermission, finishing with five saves, most of them difficult. Pennell would break the seal for a 3-0 edge in the 69th minute. Pennell, after being substituted back onto the pitch just eight seconds earlier, stole a ball off the foot of a Simpson defender, rushed into the box, and had a low shot deflected in for his second goal in as many games.
 
The Storm earned a consolation goal with two minutes to spare when reserve Andrew Loder won a penalty and captain Sal Fratiani converted the spot-kick.
 
The Knights out-shot their foes 17-4 in total, with eight shots on target to Simpson's two. Kugel made one save, and given that he conceded from the spot, has allowed just one goal from open play in his last six regular-season starts. Eleven Carleton substitutes spent at least 10 minutes on the pitch, including collegiate debuts for Sebastian Cruz, Elias Meisel, and Will Umscheid.
 
Pennell's goal slides him into a tie for the sixth-most career goals in Carleton annals, and gives him sole possession of eighth in career points (see charts below). He has now scored in eight straight games dating back to last year.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton takes to the road for the first time this season to face Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato. Kickoff at Scheels Field is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
Carleton Men's Soccer Career Goals Leaderboard
1. 41 – Branden McGarrity – 2012-15
2. 35 – Tim Wills – 2008-11
3. 28 – Bobby Phillips – 2005-08
4. 26 – Marco da Cunha – 2018-21
4. 26 – Owen Flanagan – 2021-24
6. 25 – Yemi Adegunju – 2001-04
6. 25 – Ben Pennell - 2022-pres
 
Carleton Men's Soccer Career Points Leaderboard
1. 103 – Tim Wills (35g 33a) – 2008-11
2. 99 – Branden McGarrity (41g, 17a) – 2012-15
3. 78 – Bobby Phillips (28g, 22a) – 2005-08
4. 72 – David Watson (24g 24a) – 2002-05
5. 66 – Marco da Cunha (26g 14a) – 2018-21
6. 65 – Owen Flanagan (26g 13a) – 2021-24
7. 63 – Ben Pennell (25g 13a) – 2022-pres