NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College men's soccer team grabbed the early lead and did not look back as the Knights picked up a 5-0 victory over Viterbo University in non-conference action on Saturday. Carleton's (3-0-0) rookie class accounted for three goals and three assists on the afternoon.
The Knights scored in the opening minute, led 3-0 by intermission, and added a pair of second-half goals less than a minute apart. This was Carleton's largest shutout victory since a 5-0 result at College of St. Scholastica on Sept. 30, 2024.
The hosts got on the scoreboard only 47 seconds into the game. First-year
Matthew Deffo picked off a pass by the Viterbo (0-5-2) backline then played the ball around the goalkeeper and over to classmate
Oscar Gates for a 10-yard shot into the open net
The two rookies played a part in the next Carleton goal, which came in the 23rd minute. Deffo slipped a pass toward the endline, and Gates passed back to the top of the six-yard box where a Viterbo defender knocked the ball into the net for an own goal.
The 43rd minute saw two more newcomers get on the scoresheet.
Owen Davenport sent a corner kick to the front post, and
Alex Harcourt headed it home for his first career goal.
Viterbo out-shot Carleton 5-4 in the opening 45 minutes, but the Knights enjoyed a 3-0 lead.
The score was unchanged until the 80th minute. Viterbo tried to play out of the back, but pressure by first-year
Dylan O'Connor forced the V-Hawks goalkeeper into a soft pass. Deffo collected the loose ball, took a controlling touch, and curled a 20-yard shot around the keeper for his second goal of the season.
Less than 20 seconds later the Knights concluded the scoring.
Felix Shapiro stole the ball and passed ahead for O'Connor, who dribbled into the box before slotting a pass toward the middle. Instead of taking a contested shot, Deffo let the ball roll in order to allow junior
Ben Roman to run on to it and blast a 10-yard shot into left side of the goal for his second score of the campaign.
Carleton finished the contest with a 16-15 edge in shots. Rookie goalkeeper
Adam Ouachani made his collegiate debut and registered a clean sheet thanks to eight saves.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton opens MIAC action with a road trip to St. Scholastica for a 4:00 p.m. game on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
