Evelyn Perkins, sports editor

On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Augsburg University men’s soccer team faced No. 17-ranked Saint John’s for its All-In game. The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) game took place at 3:30 p.m., during the peak temperatures of an unseasonably hot October day. After a hot, grueling 90 minutes of competition, the game ended in a scoreless tie, 0-0. This marks Augsburg’s seventh tie this season, leaving the team with a record of 3-1-7. The seven ties this season match the most in program history, with the 2008 team also recording seven ties.

In the first half, Auggies first-year goalkeeper Finnur Mercier made three saves to keep the Johnnies scoreless. Junior midfielder Christopher Plaza Alvarado and senior midfielder Asher Johnson each had shots on goal. The half ended with increased physicality, as the Auggies were called for two fouls and senior midfielder Zachariah Sherian received a yellow card. The half concluded scoreless.

In the second half, Mercier made two more saves in the 76th and 78th minutes. The game continued to get more physical, with multiple fouls called on both sides and a Saint John’s player receiving a red card in the 83rd minute. First-year forward Liam Paradiso finished with two shots, one on goal. However, the Auggies were unable to convert and finished with a scoreless tie against No. 17-ranked Saint John’s.

Then, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Auggies traveled to Carleton College for another MIAC matchup. The Knights scored early, converting a goal in the 11th minute. The Auggies responded when Carleton scored an “own goal” in the 26th minute, tying up the game. The rest of the first half was evenly matched, with Mercier recording two saves to keep the score at 1-1 at halftime. In the second half, the Knights scored quick back-to-back goals in the 47th and 53rd minutes, putting the Auggies down 3-1. Plaza Alvarado cut the deficit to 3-2 with a goal in the 54th minute off a free kick by Johnson. The Knights answered with another goal in the 56th minute. The Auggies continued to push the pace and create chances for themselves, recording five shots and two corners between 54:12 and 63:32.

However, the Auggies could not convert their shots into goals, and the Knights scored twice more in the 73rd and 76th minutes, extending their lead to 6-2 and eventually winning the game. Goalkeeper Mercier recorded five saves in the contest, with midfielder Plaza Alvarado leading the team with 1 goal on 5 shots. The Auggies’ record now stands at 3-2-7. They aim to improve in their next game, hosting the College of Macalester on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m Edor Nelson Field in Minneapolis.