On Saturday, Sept. 25, the St. Olaf Men’s Soccer Team took on a fellow Minnesota rival, Macalester College. The Oles took the win with a final score of 3-2.
Gray and overcast skies loomed over Rolf Melby Field as the boys took the pitch, ravenous for a win. The crowd was sparse, yet surprisingly enthusiastic while bracing the chilly air. In addition to the St. Olaf community that came to support, there was an abundance of dogs, families, and kids that came to view the match.
The St. Olaf Women’s Soccer Team also came out and showed their support, keeping the spirit alive throughout the match.
Within the first 15 minutes, Olaf’s defense took some blows. Macalester scored twice. Olaf fired back with tenacity, with some close shots either clearing too high or too wide. Despite the two point lead Macalester held, St. Olaf kept their energy fierce and relentless. Shea Bechtel ’25 kept the Macalester Scots on their toes, playing with both aggression and finesse. Finally, nearing the end of the first half, Bechtel scored off an assist from Victor Gaulmin ’24, putting the score at halftime 2-1.
At the top of the second half, St. Olaf’s offense was persistent, attempting to catch up to Macalester. About seven minutes later, Ian Elliott ’24 snagged an impressive goal off a corner kick, tying up the match. The crowd was jubilant, relieved a win was potentially on the horizon for St. Olaf.
As the game seeped into the first overtime, the sun started to peek through the clouds (a good omen, perhaps?). At last, Casey McCloskey ’24 scored a remarkable goal in the 95th minute to seal the win for St. Olaf. As the Oles celebrated with fist pumps and cheers, the crowd echoed their excitement. With such an outstanding comeback, one can only imagine what the rest of the season will look like for the Oles.
