Thanks to wins in its final two matches of the season, the Bethel University men's soccer team is making its second overall appearance in the MIAC Playoffs and first since 2004. The Royals (9-8-1, 5-5-0 MIAC) earned the fifth seed with 15 conference points and travel to fourth-seeded Carleton (8-6-3, 6-3-1 MIAC) who tallied 19 conference points. Kickoff in Northfield, Minn. is scheduled for 1 p.m.
MIAC PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Quarterfinals | Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 |
No. 6 Saint John's at No. 3 Macalester | 2:00 PM
No. 5 Bethel at No. 4 Carleton | 2:00 PM
Semifinals | Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022 |
TBD at No. 1 Gustavus | 2:00 PM
TBD at No. 2 St. Olaf | 2:00 PM
Championship | Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 |
Highest remaining seed hosts | 1:00 PM
ROYALS IN THE MIAC PLAYOFFS
Tuesday will be just the second time the Royals have appeared in the MIAC Playoff field since its inception in 2003. In their previous appearance, the Royals were a four seed, in a four-team playoff format, where they traveled a top-seed Gustavus.
BU fell in the semifinal match 1-0 to the eventual MIAC champion Gusties.
AGAINST THE OPPOSITION
The Royals trail in the all-time series 12-32-3 and are looking to snap a 10-match losing skid to the Knights. Earlier this year the two squads met up in Arden Hills where the Knights took it 2-0 thanks to a pair of goals in the first 23 minutes of the match.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Matthias Caspari leads the squad with eight goals, which is also tied for fourth most in the MIAC, two of which have been game winners. The leading assister is
Zach Caouette with five.
Youssef Abdallah and
Ryan Swanda have each added four assists.
Jack Hanson and
Isaac Howell each have tallied five goals.
Between the posts,
Juan Valdivia Cortes has posted four shutouts while holding a 1.45 goals against average. With 86 saves he holds a 78.9 save percentage.
