NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College men's soccer team came out on the wrong end of a 4-3 decision after a wild game at crosstown rival St. Olaf College. The Northfield Derby was the conference opener for both sides.
 
St. Olaf (6-1-1, 1-0-0 MIAC) opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Having found space on the edge of the box, Abdirasak Bulale took a shot, which bounced off the right post and found Ryan Bechtel for a volley into the roof of the goal.
 
Despite the continued press from St. Olaf after the goal, Carleton (4-2-0, 0-1-0 MIAC) found its way onto the scoresheet in the 31st minute. After the Knights forced a turnover in the attacking half, Finn Lennon's 15-yard shot deflected favorably for the visitors, giving Oles' keeper Beckett Carlson no chance. This was Lennon's first career goal.
 
Carleton worked through St. Olaf's press to get two more goals early in the second half. The first tally was scored when the Knights were able to carry the ball up the pitch without pressure. Ben Pennell in the goalie box was able to latch onto a cross by Asher Burt, hitting the ball low and hard past Carlson in the 51st minute. Pennell has scored in five of the Knights' six games this season, finding the net six times on the campaign and 29 times in his career. He is now alone in third place on Carleton's all-time scoring list (see charts below).
 
Barely six minutes elapsed before the Knights struck again. Carleton won possession in its own half with a brilliant tackle by Jonathan Vonderlage. A long ball over the St. Olaf defense sprung Pennell on the counterattack. He dribbled toward the Ole goal and played a pass across the box for Vonderlage's one-timer into the back of the net, bringing the score to 3–1 in favor of the visitors.
 
Two minutes later, St. Olaf found a way back into the game. After a corner kick was not completely cleared away by Carleton, Robi Buzakovic sent a cross to the back post where Bechtel headed home his second goal of the game.
 
Carleton found itself in more trouble when a red card was shown following a late tackle. Now playing with a numerical advantage, the Oles continued to push high up the field, ultimately bearing fruit in the 72nd minute when Ben Beckman's shot from just outside the box took a crucial deflection, ultimately ending up in the back of the net and leveling the score at 3-3.
 
In the 76th minute, St. Olaf moved in front to stay. Coming out of another corner kick, Buzakovic aimed for the near post, and his shot glanced off the inside of the woodwork and found the feet of Beckman, who guided the ball across the line for the game-winning tally.
 
St. Olaf finished with a 24-12 edge in shots and a 9-5 margin in shots on goal. The Oles committed 12 of the game's 15 fouls.
 
Up Next for the Knights
With its four-match road trip over, Carleton returns home to take on Hamline University at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 21.
 
Carleton Men's Soccer Career Goals Leaders
1. 41 – Branden McGarrity – 2012-15
2. 35 – Tim Wills – 2008-11
3. 29 – Ben Pennell – 2022-pres
4. 28 – Bobby Phillips – 2005-08
5. 26 – Marco da Cunha – 2018-21
5. 26 – Owen Flanagan – 2021-24
7. 25 – Yemi Adegunju – 2001-04
8. 24 – Ron Sanders – 1962-64
8. 24 – George Monyemangene – 1985-88
8. 24 – David Watson – 2002-05
 
Carleton Men's Soccer Career Points Leaders
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
4. 72 – Ben Pennell (29g 14a) – 2022-pres
6. 66 – Marco da Cunha (26g 14a) – 2018-21
7. 65 – Owen Flanagan (26g 13a) – 2021-24
8. 62 – George Monyemangene (24g 14a) – 1985-88
9. 59 – Ken Tape (23g 13a) – 1995-98
10. 58 – Will Corcoran (20g 18a) 2010-13
 
Carleton Men's Soccer Career Assists Leaders
1. 33 – Tim Wills – 2008-11
2. 27 – Ryan Cammarota – 2008-11
3. 24 – David Watson – 2002-05
4. 22 – Jon Hyde – 1986-88
4. 22 – Bobby Philips – 2005-08
6. 18 – Will Corcoran – 2010-13
7. 17 – Branden McGarrity – 2012-15
8. 16 – Wes Elfman – 2007-10
8. 16 – Jonathan Vonderlage - 2022-pres
9. 15 – Nadim Ilbawi – 1999-02
9. 15 – Briggs Priem – 2022-pres
11. 14 – George Monyemangene – 1986-87
11. 14 – Chris Jones – 1986-87
11. 14 – Matt Hunt – 1987-88
11. 14 – Mark Roth – 2015-18
11. 14 – Marco da Cunha – 2018-21
11. 14 – Ben Pennell - 2022-pres