The sixth-seeded St. Thomas men’s soccer team’s (12-7-1 overall, 5-4-1 MIAC) four-game winning streak ended Saturday after a 2-0 defeat by the Oles (13-7-1 overall, 6-3-1 MIAC) in the MIAC championship in Northfield.
In the 19th minute, St. Olaf forward Aarons Stets connected on a cross pass from midfielder Aaron Miller, which created the deficit the Tommies would never close. Coach Jon Lowery feels there’s little separation between the conference’s best teams.
“We’re not surprised we’re here,” Lowery said. “I don’t think there was a ton separating these two teams today, but we were on the short end.”
The Oles outshot the Tommie offense 11-6 in the opening 45 minutes. Tommie forward Pierce Erickson pierced the Ole defense for what seemed like a goal midway through the first half, but was rejected due to an offsides call.
“I was just kind of sitting alone on the back post there, and when the ball came in I just ran towards it, put it in with my foot, and I guess whoever saw it thought I was offsides,” Erickson said. “I think we really controlled the game. But the bottom line is, they buried their chances and we didn’t.”
The Ole’s Division-I transfer forward Jens Undlin knocked in the goal with a breakaway score in the 67th minute. Lowery thought his squad brought considerable pressure to the pitch in Northfield.
“I thought we played really … hard. The kids put a tremendous effort out,” Lowery said. “I can’t say I feel bad about how we played. I feel unfortunate about some certain moments. We missed some chances that we’ve been making all year.”
That pressure was evident in the opening minutes, but St. Olaf adjusted defensively, forward Matt Bouche said.
“We had a few early chances that didn’t go our way, and as the game went on, they hunkered back,” Bouche said. “Our defense has been working hard all year. This is our first two-goal loss of the season, so credit to our defense for the whole season.”
Even after this devastating loss, Lowery thinks the program is heading in a strong direction with the help of this year’s senior leadership.
“People just see on-field performance, but these guys are doing a tremendous job building this program,” Lowery said. “We want to keep making it better. Great years from Matt Bouche and Miles Stockman-Willis. We’ll miss those guys like crazy.”
The program may miss its seniors, but Bouche is confident in his successors.
“Ton of respect for the program. Program is on the come-up, so watch out for Tommie soccer,” Bouche said.
Jake Remes can be reached at reme7110@stthomas.edu.