Men’s Soccer tops Gustavus

With a big win over #25 Gustavus on Saturday, Men’s Soccer has put themselves in a great position to qualify for the MIAC playoffs. The Scots took advantage of a limited number of opportunities, scoring on their only shot on net, as Austin Burrows ’17 finished from a Charlie Spurr ’17 cross in the 30th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Despite being penned in their final third for much of the final hour and playing down a man for the last 29 minutes, they were able to hold on to take three points against their nationally ranked opponent.

Zeke “The Keep” Vainer ’17 came up huge in the net and was named MIAC player of the week for his efforts. Vainer made seven saves in the match to earn his MIAC-leading seventh clean sheet of the season. The Mac keeper also made a clean sheet in the 2OT tie to Carleton last week, and the team hasn’t allowed a goal in 233 minutes and 59 seconds. Also instrumental in the team’s recent defensive successes is captain and center back Cole Erickson ’15, who, in addition to his defensive play, has been a vocal leader at the back, and looks on pace to be an all-MIAC selection.

The team will head to Wisconsin for a non-conference match against UW-Superior this Saturday before they return home for their final two matches of the regular season against the two lowest ranked teams in the MIAC, Concordia Moorhead and Saint Mary’s. Should they take six points, they can finish no worse than fourth and would have their first home playoff game since 2010.

Football to raise awareness for cancer

The Scots will host the Minnesota Football Coaches Association’s annual Tackle Cancer game this Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1pm. There will be speeches at halftime explaining the goals of this event, and donations bins will be carried through the aisles and available at tables near the entrance of the stadium. Proceeds will go to the Randy Shaver Research and Community Fund, which supports victims and survivors of cancer and funds future research. “It provides an excellent opportunity for you to support a good cause while watching a fun game of football,” said Eben Johnson ’17, right tackle and press organizer for the event. The Tackle Cancer game is the Scots’ first official home game in their new conference.