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The first half proved difficult for the Pipers, playing against a gutsy Scots team that consistently moved the
ball into Hamline’s backfield and promptly squelched any offensive attacks. This is easily reflected by Macalester’s seven first half shots, compared to Hamline’s three.

“We didn’t have a lot of opportunities to turn and face them. They didn’t give up a lot of free kicks or easy opportunities around their box,” Watkins said.

One trouble the Pipers ran into was putting the ball in space, hoping their teammates would get to it. The Scots, however, out ran and out muscled the Pipers by a narrow margin. At halftime, the Pipers regrouped.

“We had played well up to that point knowing Macalester doesn’t give you a lot. You have to earn it. But I felt pretty good about how we had played and also felt confident that we would continue that and breakthrough and score,” said Watkins.

Hamline’s second-effort second-half included much more time in the Scots’ backfield. The Pipers made some determined assaults, attempting to capitalize on numbers in their fast breaks. Unfortunately, nothing
materialized quite like they wished. Simply put, they were not able to put together enough good shooting chances.

No one can deny credit to Macalester’s defense, which played well, but benefited from offensive control. Nonetheless, the Pipers were unsuccessful in taking advantage of the scoring opportunities.

“We generated a lot of good attacks, but most of those attacks didn’t end with good shots at the goal sometimes we were just inches away from getting that chance at a goal,” said Coutts.

With only sixteen minutes left in the game, momentum for the Pipers came from an unlikely source.
Goalkeeper Andrew Clement was given a yellow card when he charged the ball on a scoring chance for Macalester. Clement, with the knowledge of Joe Wertz’s penalty kick tendencies, made a great save that brought on faster play and roaring cheers from the Hamline fans.

From there on out it was largely a midfield battle. Both teams had a fair number of scoring opportunities, but neither was able to make use of them. Defense was indeed the real story of this game. Near the end, the Pipers “started to get into a more attacking-only formation that left [them] more exposed in the backfield,” said Coach Coutts.

Alas, no points would come for Hamline.

To the very end the Pipers battled at midfield in a desperate attempt to score a goal. They showed no signs of defeat, and played step for step with number-one seeded Macalester for the majority of the game.

“Tactically we played how we wanted to play. I hope the guys don’t feel any regret. I know, as a Coach, I don’t,” said Coutts.

“Every good team but one will lose their last game we won’t let this last game detract from what was a very good season.”

Coach Andy Coutts is correct. Although the loss officially ends the Pipers’ season, there is little to feel bad about. Take into consideration that Hamline reached its first birth since the formal development of the playoffs, and this season is nothing but a resounding success story. Key victories over St. Johns and St.
Thomas catapulted the Pipers to fourth in the MIAC, and a finish higher in the ranks than any the team has ever known.

Looking to the future, Coach Coutts said, “I think now the bar has been set higher there is going to be an expectation to succeed and not to have this year be an exception, but to have it be the standard.”

Ben Watkins added this about the team’s future, “To know that we can make the playoffs is a big step in the right direction. Hamline soccer has arrived.”