Calvin snapped a four-match losing skid to Hope and in the process, created a three-way tie for first place in the MIAA standings Saturday afternoon. 

In front of an overflow crowd of more than 500 fans, Calvin edged the visiting Flying Dutchmen 1-0 to improve to 8-4-0 overall, and more importantly to 4-1-0 in the MIAA. The Knights are now locked in a three-way tie for first place with Hope and Kalamazoo in the MIAA standings. 

The victory was Calvin's first over Hope since the 2000 regular season finale and also marked the first win for head coach Chris Hughes against the Flying Dutchmen. 

Freshman Nick Capisciolto (Unity Christian HS) provided the only goal of the game as the first-year midfielder scored in the 67th minute of play on a pretty set-up pass from junior midfielder Joel Veldhouse (Sioux Falls, SD). On the play, Veldhouse slid a back-pass to Capisciolto in the slot who responded by lofting a shot into the top shelf of the Hope net, sending the large crowd into a frenzy. The goal was the sixth of the year for Capisciolto and proved to be his third game-winner of the season. Veldhouse also picked up his team-leading eighth assist of the year on the play. 

Hope (7-3-2 overall) pressed the attack in the closing minutes and nearly connected in the final 10 seconds of play but a shot to the far post slid just wide, allowing the Knights to escape with the win. 

Hope entered the match ranked sixth in the latest Great Lakes Regional rankings while Calvin was ranked 10th. 

Calvin finished with a 10-4 shots at goal advantage with sophomore goaltender Joe Westra (Grand Rapids Christian HS) collecting one save in gaining his third shutout of the season and fourth of his collegiate career.  

Westra was particularly sharp in the first half when Hope threatened on a handful of opportunities with Westra stepping in front to punch out a number of dangerous Hope serves into the Calvin box. 

Calvin returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Alma for an MIAA contest slated to start at 4:00 p.m.