DULUTH, Minn. – Yellowjacket men's soccer coach Joe Mooney has never been shy about scheduling the strongest teams in the region as part of his non-conference schedule. The fall of 2024 is no exception, as the 'Jackets once again have a non-conference slate that resembles a meatgrinder.

After opening the regular season a week ago on the road with a scoreless draw against Augsburg, things got tougher for the Yellowjackets Friday, as they opened the home portion of their schedule against another MIAC foe, Carleton.

Carleton, an NCAA tournament team a year ago, entered play Friday 2-0-1 and ranked No. 21 in the country. The Yellowjackets didn't blink in the staring contest however and for the second Friday in a row played to 0-0 draw.
 
The Yellowjackets (0-0-2, 0-0-0 UMAC) had the better of the play Friday, but for the second straight contest were unable to find the back of the net.

Alex Paredes (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) started in goal for the Yellowjackets and posted the shutout, his second of the season. He finished the match with three saves.
 
Game Notes

• The Yellowjackets outshot Carleton 6-3 in the match.
• Isaac Becket (Surrey, England/The Sixth Form College Farnborough) and Jake Kidd (Superior, Wis./Superior) each had two shots on goal, leading the Yellowjackets.
• Freddy Watson (Wendover, England/Berkshire College of Agriculture) and Aaron Shartin-Folkert (Hudson, Wis./Somerset) also had shots on goal for UWS.
• The Yellowjackets also bettered the Knights in shots attempted, 21-7, including having an edge of 10-2 in the second half.
• A sign of the pressure the 'Jackets put on the Knights was the margin in corner kicks – the Yellowjackets had nine to just two for Carleton.
• Carleton goalkeeper Leo Kugel was sharp, making six saves in his shutout performance.
• For Paredes, the shutout was the 19th of his career, extending his school record in the category.
• Friday was just the second all-time meeting between the two schools, with the Yellowjackets having a 1-0-1 edge.

The Yellowjackets are back in action Saturday, when they take on UW-Platteville in non-conference play. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Public Schools Stadium in Duluth.
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