GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Calvin assured itself of at least a third place finish in the final MIAA standings with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Alma Wednesday afternoon at Calvin Field. The victory was Calvin's first over Alma at home since 1997. 

Wednesday's game marked the season finale for the Knights as Calvin has a bye for the final MIAA playing date of the year. 

Alma struck first, scoring just 3:21 into the contest as Beau Teal was able to head across the goal-line off a crossing pass from Jeremiah Roberts. Teal's header was sent to a wide-open net but Calvin senior goaltender Matt Thelen (Grand Haven was able to get his hands on the ball in spectacular fashion as he sprinted across the goal-line in recovery and then leaped to snare Teal's shot. Thelen's momentum however, carried his body and the ball just across the goal-line, allowing the Scots to go up 1-0. 

Calvin then knotted the score up at 1-1 in the 20th minute on a goal by junior Aaron Bouw (Unity Christian). Freshly inserted into the Calvin lineup off the bench moments before, Bouw whirled on a pass from sophomore Geol Scheirman (Broomfield, CO) in the Alma box and cranked in his fifth goal of the year. 

Neither team would score over the next 59 minutes although Alma senior Adam Sobczak came dangerously close with 20 minutes left in regulation, chipping a shot from the 10-yard line over the Calvin goal. 

Calvin (11-6-1 overall, 8-4 MIAA) then picked up the pace and broke through with just 10:59 left in regulaton as sophomore Marcus Decker (Grand Rapids Christian) tucked a shot just inside the goalpost for his third goal of the year. Senior Peter Knoester (Grand Rapids Christian and sophomore Charles Telep (Sewickley, PA) both collected assists on the play. 

Calvin's defense held firm the rest of the way to allow the Knights to claim the win. Playing in his final collegiate contest, Thelen collected four saves in one half of play while junior Justin Bouw (Unity Christian) recorded one save in the second half. Calvin's defensive effort in the second half was stellar with sophomores Jason Kastrounis (Sewickley, PA), Mike Standfest (Elk Rapids) and freshman Mike Vollmer (Grand Haven) delivering superior efforts on the back-line. 

Calvin outshot Alma 14-9 including 8-4 in the second half. Freshman Kyle Lieberman had four saves for Alma (7-12 overall, 6-5 MIAA) in goal.