MIAC Men’s Soccer Heating Up

Every year, the MIAC Men’s Soccer conference ends up being a dog fight and this year is no different. For better or worse, MIAC men’s soccer benefits from not having a division one program in the State of Minnesota. The players who chose to stay in Minnesota and play for Division-3 schools where no scholarships are awarded are also getting technically and tactically better.

The level of coaching also keeps improving and there’s hardly a weak team in the conference. Between 4 coaches in MIAC: Saint John’s head coach Pat Haws (32nd season), Gustavus head coach Larry Zelenz (24th season), St. Olaf’s Kurt Anderson (21st season) and Bob Carlson of Carleton College (13th season), there is a total of 90 years coaching experience. Add to that newer coaches like: 6 year veteran Ian Barker from Macalester, 5 year veteran and Augsburg head coach Greg Holker, 3rd year Bethel College coach Pepe Jon Chavez, and 1st year Hamline coach Jon Lowery, who was an assistant coach at Ohio State and perennial Division-1 powerhouse Wake Forest, there are no longer any weak links in MIAC teams.

This all adds up to a very competitive Division-3 MIAC conference, which was proven out last year with both Carleton College and Augsburg College teams making it all the way to the Sweet 16 of Division-3 play.

Last year’s race ended up a close one with Carleton taking top honors with 17 points. Gustavus Adolphus was a close 2nd at 16 points and Augsburg 3rd with 15. Augsburg, with a late season run, fought their way into the playoffs with Carleton. In typical MIAC style, the game went to overtime and shootouts to determine Carleton the winner.

This year there were preseason favorites of Gustavus and Augsburg, but the competitiveness of the league is proving itself again with some interesting results this past weekend.

On Saturday St. Olaf, who were 2-0 in conference play, lost 2-1 in overtime to Concordia, who were 0-3 before Saturday’s victory. Surprisingly the win for Concordia came while playing away at St. Olaf.

Gustavus traveled to St. John’s to play the Johnnies who were 0-2 up until Saturday. St. John’s defeated favored Gustavus who were 2-0 coming into Saturday’s contest. The final score was 1-0 St. Johns.

Another interesting Saturday game was held between Hamline with new coach Jon Lowery leading his Pipers into Northfield to play last year’s champion Carleton. It took 2 overtimes for Carleton to break the deadlock and win the game 2-1. Carleton are now 3-1 in conference play and Hamline are 0-2-1 but have played competitively in every game this season.

Bethel, who were 1-9-0 in conference play last season, caused a minor upset beating St. Thomas 2-1. St. Thomas are now 1-1-0 and upstarts Bethel are now 2-0-1 in conference play.

On Sunday, St. Johns (1-2) easily handled St. Mary’s (0-2) 3-1.

Currently the standings sit with Carleton back on top again this year with a 3-1 record followed closely by Bethel with a 2-0-1 record and Macalester College at 2-0-0. Macalester lost in a non-conference game over the weekend to Simpson, 1-0. St. Olaf and Gustavus follow close behind with a 2-1-0 record.

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3-points for a win
MIAC Soccer made some changes this season allowing 3 points for a win rather than 2 points, which was the rule the conference had operated under previously. The 3 points for a win may help to differentiate team standings at the end of the season.

This week’s action should bring some clarification to the conference:

On Tuesday Bethel (2nd place 2-0-1) will travel to Concordia (9th place 1-3) for a 4:00 pm game.

On Wednesday Gustavus (5th place 2-1-0) will travel to St. Mary’s (11th place 0-2-0) for a 7 pm game.

Augsburg (7th place 1-2-0 and who were previously nationally ranked) have surprisingly struggled recently and will travel to St. Olaf (4th place 2-1-0) for a 4 pm game.

Macalester (3rd place 2-0-0) will travel to Northfield to play Carleton (1st place 3-1) in a 4 pm contest.

Please consult the MIAC Mens Soccer page for the full list of games this week including Saturday and Sunday games.