What was already a memorable night for the men's varsity soccer team became a stunning and confusing end to the season last Friday.
After Macalester came back against Whitworth for a 1–1 tie and held a 2–1 lead in penalty kicks, a controversial decision by referee Tony Vassoli deflated the Scots, who eventually fell in the shootout, 4–2.
Macalester fell behind in the 28th minute when a deflected shot by Matt Knoll floated into the net despite protests that two Whitworth forwards were offside.
The large, noisy and supportive home crowd watched the Scots battle back from their first half shortcomings as Kimani Williams '02 tied the game at 1–1, sending an exquisite curving shot into the side netting with just three minutes remaining in regulation time.
The Scots continued to push forward, but could not find the elusive golden goal after several close chances in overtime. The match finished in a 1–1 tie and a penalty kick shootout to determine who would advance to the West Region finals.
The better side for the majority of the match, the Scots seemed to be on their way to advancing to meet Redlands the next day after a great save by Michael Madigan '03, as well as converted spot kicks from Alon Rohter '02 and Williams gave Macalester a 2–1 shootout lead.
Another superb save by Madigan to his right sent the crowd, estimated at 1,800, into a frenzy and would have all but sealed the Scots'progess into the regional finals if not for a shocking call by Vassoli to order a retake, ruling that Madigan had moved forward before the kick.
Such a call is rarely made in a shootout and usually reserved for the most obvious forward motions—goalkeepers may move along the line but not forward during a penalty kick—and video evidence after the gam e proved that Madigan stayed on his line.
Madigan, understandably cautious of his movement, remained more still on the line, and the ensuing retake was scored.
Charged by his team's revival, Whitworth keeper Ben Oakley produced a splendid save on the attempt by Brendan Mayer '02. Another goal from the visitors gave Whitworth a 3–2 lead.
Midfielder Nathan Knox '04, whose forward runs and game-tying assist inspired the Scots'comeback, stepped back several yards and blasted a shot to his right that was savedby Oakley, and then Eric Johnson sealed the 4–2 shootout win on Whitworth's next attempt.
It was an unfortunate end to a very successful season for Macalester (14–4–1), who entered the match as the undefeated MIAC champion and riding an 11-game winning streak.
The Scots had an energetic start to the match and nearly took the lead on two occassions within five minutes of kickoff. Williams just missed a header from a corner kick and soon afterwards was inches away from connecting on a cross from Martin Oppen heimer '02.
Despite a promising start, Macalester lost its grip on the game and struggled to maintain possession as a week-long break from competitive play took its toll. The Scots did regroup to produce a scoring chance after 25 minutes when striker Brend an Viele '05 dribbled clear of the Whitworth defense but was forced into shooting from a tight angle, sending the ball wide.
Whitworth, who played with nearly every player behind the ball for the entire game, seemed to have all of the luck, however, and took the lead after Knoll's shot deflected off Macalester defender Alex McKiernon '02 and sailed over a helpless Madigan in the 28th minute.
Neither side could manage anymore threatening chances as the first half played out, but Macalester emerged from the halftime break inspired. The coaching staff told the squad that if one player stepped up to lead, the rest would follow.
Macalester found its second half leader in Knox, who was moved into a more advanced position and immediately caused trouble for the Whitworth defense with the Scots playing for an all-out attack.
Macalester won two corners early in the second half but were unable to convert as defender Alex McKiernon '02 and Knox both connected on the crosses but couldn't direct their headers on target.
Onseveral occasions, Knox's forward runs nearly resulted in the equalizing goal. Macalester had a great chance with 11 minutes remaining after Knox took the ball into the box and pulled a pass to an open Oppenheimer, but the Swedish midfielder blazed his s hot over the bar.
Also supporting the Macalester attack was Mayer, the 2001 MIAC Most Valuable Player, who made several forward runs from the defense.
Just when it seemed as though all of the second half's hard work on the offensive end would be negated by unlucky finishing, Knox, who had been moved up front as a third forward, took control of a loose ball in the midfield with three minutes left and took it upfield, slipping a pass to Williams at the top of the box. Williams, with his back to the goal and h is defender, turned to his right and swirled a shot with the inside of his right foot that headed for the far post. The combination of the defender's screen and accurate placement of Williams 'strike proved to be too much for Oakley, who dove full out for the shot but couldn't come close.
The Jamaican striker once again led the Scots, known for their second-half surges, back from the dead with one of the best out of his school record 58 career goals.
With all of the momentum and the enthusiastic crowd on their side, the galvanized Scots appeared almost certain to find the winning goal.
The comeback was nearly completed just one minute later when Mayer, charging forward as the Scots continued to attack, sent a dangerous cross into the area that troubled Oakley, but the ball glided too far and landed on top of the net.
After the full-time whistle, the Scots decided to keep their attacking with Knox as a third forward and senior midfielders Eric Wieman and Rohter entering the game to give the Scots fresh legs.
The winning goal nearly came right away when Williams slashed through the Whitworth defense, but his shot was cleared off the line by a Pirates'defender.
After the first half of overtime finished with no goals, Knox's dribbling left the Whitworth defense out to dry on two occasions. In the 109th minute, Knox found Rob Swick '05 near the far post, and on a tight angle, the first-year midfielder pulled a shot across, but as the Whitworth defense watched helplessly, the ball went across the face of the goal and went wide.
During the second half of overtime, Macalester was ruled offside on three successive plays, including a debatable call when Williams had broken clear of the Whitworth defense.
In the final minute, Knox created space for himself in the penaltyarea and let a shot fly that was saved in style by Oakley.
After the shootout loss, the Scots, who graduate nine seniors this year, were given a well-deserved ovation by the home crowd. Macalester had just completed one of their greatest seasons and thereis no telling how much more they would have achieved in 2001 if not for the controversial call in the penalty kick shootout. Reflecting the Scots'worthy team character, the players have since pointed to missed chances in the first half rather than the referee's call as the turning point in Friday night's game.
In Saturday's regional final, Redlands defeated Whitworth 1–0 in overtime and advanced to meet Central Region champion Luther, who Macalester had defeated 3–0 on Oct. 14, in the national quarterfina ls.
