Withstanding shoving matches and an aggressive opposition, the men’s soccer team spoiled Bethel College’s bid for an undefeated season by toppling the Royals 2-1 last Saturday, Oct. 16th. All three goals came during the final 13 minutes of the contest.

The victory was vital to the Scots, as a loss would have signified an end to MIAC title hopes and cast doubt on the team’s playoff future. With the win, Macalester’s league record improved to 5-2-1.

“The Bethel win was a very big one for us, given that they were undefeated and we had already dropped 5 points,” Assistant Coach Ian Barker said.

Mac dominated the first half of the game. Displaying superior ball control and tenacity, the Scots dictated play in the mid-field. With the Royals only being capable of breeching Mac’s half of the field on goal kicks, Bethel’s first half attack consisted of chasing down tremendous boots from their keeper. Mac’s hard-nosed defense countered the strategy effectively and despite Bethel’s five corner kicks, the Royals managed only two shots in the half, both of which went wide.

Macalester had ample opportunity to score in the first 45 minutes. Although the Scots took 16 shots in the first half, Mac only forced one save from Bethel’s keeper. The Scots were content to test Bethel’s tower of a goalie from long range. When Mac’s forwards did work the ball into the box, they often searched for too perfect an opening. The delay allowed Bethel to recover and usually resulted in a wild, contested shot.

The best scoring chance of the half came when midfielder Magnus Oppenhiemer ’07 eluded two defenders, converting a pass from the left side into a swift shot that ricocheted off the cross bar. Mac continued to dictate the course of the game until half time, but failed to score.

When the second half began, both teams came out on the attack. Macalester continued to push most of the action onto Bethel’s side of the field, but the Mac defense did not stifle the Royals as it had in the first half. The visitors displayed more patience.

“[They put] us under pressure with their size and athleticism” Barker said.

However, Macalester kept up the unrelenting offensive attack and by the 75th minute the Scots had forced Bethel’s keeper to make six second-half saves. Seventy seven minutes into the game, the Scots persistence paid off. Midfielder Andrew Wissler ’06 scored on a cross from Michael Dannenberg ’05, making it a 1-0 game.

The lead didn’t last long however, as the Royals countered five minutes later. At 83:01 Bethel forward Reed Thunstrom ’08 got to a cross before Mac’s defense and shot the ball past goalkeeper Ryan Palmer ’08.

Mac applied further pressure, driving the ball deep into Bethel’s territory. Just two minutes after losing the lead, the Scots capitalized on a golden opportunity. Eric Nordstrom ’05 and Robb Swick ’05 each had cracks at a shot inside the box, but it was recent substitution Grant Stegner ’08 who gathered the rebound off Bethel’s goalie and buried it in the goal.

As time ran out, shoving matches sporadically broke out on the field and Bethel’s last efforts resulted in a yellow card. The repartee amongst the throng of Bethel’s spectators and the Mac faithful had followed the ups and downs of the game and reached their definitive moment after the second Mac goal as triumphant shouts of “scoreboard” resounded in the stands. Each team got off a final shot, but as the as the 90th minute elapsed, Mac looked comfortable its their lead. Mac goalie Ryan Palmer ’08 earned his first career win, only having to make one save.

“Our goals at present are clear: try to get enough points from our two remaining MIAC games to qualify in the top four in conference” Barker added. The victory moved Macalester into third place in the MIAC standings, two points ahead of Bethel. Even with the win the coach has no illusions about coasting into the playoffs; “Everything hinges on the next two games with GAC and Carleton” he said. The Scots rivalry with nationally ranked No. 5 Gustavus Adolphus continues tonight in a game rife with league title implications.