Calvin freshman Steve Holwerda picked the perfect time to net his first collegiate goal. The freshman midfielder from Grand Rapids Christian High School collected his first collegiate tally just 27 seconds into overtime to lift the nationally-ranked Knights of Calvin College to a thrilling 2-1 sudden-death overtime victory over the visiting Blue Streaks of John Carroll University in a first round game of the Cal Bergsma Memorial Tournament Friday afternoon at Calvin Field.
Holwerda scored the game-winner on a pass from a familiar face - freshman forward Michael Holwerda who was a fellow teammate at Grand Rapids Christian High School.
The game-winning goal materialized quickly as the Knights took the opening kickoff of overtime and moved the ball to the left wing. A through ball pass sprung Michael Holwerda on a half-breakaway and while entering the left hand side of the box, Michael Holwerda slid a perfect pass on the ground through the goalmouth. Racing through the right wing slot, Steve Holwerda made no mistake on the pass, burying a hard shot to the far post past John Carroll goalkeeper Ben Carro who had no chance on the play.
The victory lifts Calvin to 3-0-0 on the year and gives the Knights a chance to play for the tournament title as they will host longtime rival Wheaton (IL) Saturday at 2:00 p.m.. Wheaton (3-0-0) picked up a 3-0 victory over Hope in Holland in Friday's other first round tournament game.
Calvin took a 1-0 lead midway through the first half as Michael Holwerda picked up his team-leading fourth goal of the year, pouncing on a rebound shot from older brother David Holwerda (Grand Rapids Christian HS) and poking the ball into a wide-open net. Ranked eighth in the Great Lakes Region, the Blue Streaks (1-2-0) tied the score on a goal with just 4:06 left in the first half however as a Calvin defensive miscue led to a John Carroll penalty kick. John Carroll's Dejan Mladenovic converted the penalty kick with a blast into the upper left-hand corner, leaving the game tied 1-1.
Calvin dominated the second half, outshooting John Carroll 9-1 in the first 45 minutes of the second half but could not find the back of the net until the winning combination by the Holwerda's in the opening minute of overtime.
Calvin finished with an 18-5 shots at goal advantage with senior goalkeeper Joe Westra (Grand Rapids Christian HS) recording two saves in collecting his third victory of the year in nets.
Calvin is now 3-1-1 in its last five overtime games dating back to last year.
