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COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - This week's edition of #TakeMeBackTuesday is the nerve-wracking soccer game between Saint John's and Macalester from this past fall (Nov. 5, 2019) at Haws Field. Following 110 minutes of scoreless play (regulation and two overtimes), SJU advanced to the MIAC Playoff semifinals with a 4-2 advantage in penalty kicks.



SJU head coach John Haws brought in a cold Nicholas French '20 to replace goalkeeper Payton Spencer '20, who made five saves to post his second consecutive shutout, for the penalty kicks.

The appearance in net was the first for French since he broke his thumb three weeks prior (Oct. 16) at Augsburg. The 6-foot-5 keeper stretched out to stop the Scots' first two attempts (left), which proved to be the difference.

Midfielder Paul Wadsworth '21 started a stretch of four consecutive shootout goals for SJU after forward Ben Becker '20 was denied in the opening round. Defender Matt Anderson '23 and forward Kagan Foster '20 followed suit before forward Patrick Erredge '20 (below) scored the clincher.

Mac out-shot SJU 19-9 (6-1 on goal) and posted statistical advantages in corners (13-4) and offsides (11-2).

The shootout win was the first for SJU since Nov. 2, 2005 (a 4-3 shootout victory following a scoreless tie at Gustavus). Current GAC head coach Tudor Flintham '06 was a senior on that Johnnie team.

Foster and midfielder Leighton Lommel '20 were named to the All-MIAC first team a week later, while Anderson, Wadsworth and defender Joe Parise '21 were honorable mention. 

SJU led or tied for the league lead in four statistical categories in MIAC play: first in both points (80) and shot percentage (.196), tied with St. Thomas for the most goals (27), and tied with Bethel and Carleton with the fewest yellow cards (6). The Johnnies also finished second in corner kicks (61).