ST. PAUL, Minn. – A penalty kick awarded to host University of St. Thomas proved to be the difference as the Carleton College men's soccer team dropped a tightly contested 1-0 match.
 
It was a battle between the top two teams in the MIAC coaches preseason poll, and play was fairly even throughout as the Tommies (6-3-3, 5-1-0 MIAC) held the slimmest of edges in shots, outshooting Carleton (9-2-1, 2-1-1 MIAC) by a 9-8 margin.
 
In the 33rd minute, a St. Thomas defender dribbled to the top of the box, lost possession of the ball, then ran into the back of a member of the Carleton backline and fell down. To the disbelief of the Knights, the Tommies were awarded a penalty kick, and Halvor Houg converted the golden opportunity to account for the game's lone goal.
 
Justin Crawmer (Fy./Urbandale, Iowa/Waukee) had two terrific chances to find the equalizer for Carleton in the second half. In the 61st minute, his shot was steered off the post by St. Thomas goalkeeper Troy Louwagie. Off the ensuing corner kick, Crawmer's header rattled the post and was eventually cleared off the line by a St. Thomas defender.
 
Aaron Forman (Jr./Los Angeles, Calif./Windward School) made a four total saves for Carleton.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE KNIGHTS: Carleton returns home to host Saint Mary's University for a 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Live video and stats will be available via athletics.carleton.edu.