Women’s soccer will battle the Concordia-Moorhead Cobbers tonight, at stake is the MIAC crown, and the automatic entry into the NCAA national tournament.

The Cobbers, whom Macalester beat 5-3 earlier in the season, are the last obstacle to an undefeated MIAC record. This season, the Scots have dominated the conference—registering a 10-0-1 record. The unbeaten record was finalized by Macalester’s final win of the regular season, a 2-0 defeat of Carleton during fall break. The Scots defeated Augsburg 1-0 in the MIAC tournament semifinal this past Wednesday.

Mac has allowed just five goals in MIAC play this season and has scored 36. Keeper Louisa Bigelow ’06 has registered nine conference shutouts and 11 overall. The one tie came against St. Benedict, which did not make the playoffs. “We pretty much have proved we’re the best team in the MIAC,” head coach John Leaney said.

This season is one of the best performances by the women in years. Last year, the Scots lost to both St. Benedict and Concordia in the regular season, and in 2002 the women had a weak offense.

What’s different this year? “Scoring ability,” said Jessica Bullen ’05, who scored Wednesday night’s one and only goal. “This year we have people who can put the ball in the net.”

However, part of the Scots’ success must be credited to weaker MIAC competition than in past seasons. In recent years, it has not been uncommon for two or three MIAC schools to find their way into the national rankings. Thus far, the Scots have not only been the only team to be nationally ranked (currently No. 23) but they are also the only MIAC school in the Central Region rankings.

Outside the conference, the Scots have been hit and miss. They beat the strong program of University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point 2-0 early last month, and fought the then No. 1-ranked University of Chicago to overtime, but lost 1-2.

Last weekend, the team did not perform as well during the Scots’ fall break trip. They lost to No. 3 Wheaton 0-4 and No. 19 Depauw 1-2 with just 21 seconds left in double-overtime.

Bullen said that the team has not been playing well the past few games, and she was confident that the Scots could beat those two teams in future games. “We’re building our strength and momentum,” Bullen said.

Should the women make it to the NCAA national tournament, which begins next week, Leaney indicated that the first game could very well be at home.

But before the Scots get to think about playing a tournament game, they must win tonight. While Mac managed to score four unanswered goals in the first half against Concordia earlier this season, the Cobbers will certainly be looking to put up more of a fight this time around.

Macalester’s defense is quite strong, but Concordia holds some advantages over the Scots. “They are stronger and faster than us, but a little weaker on defense than we are,” Leaney said.