Senior Nick Capisciolto (Hudsonville/ Unity Christian) scored a pair of goals as Calvin topped Alma 5-0 at home this afternoon. The win keeps Calvin (9-1-1) four points ahead of second place Kalamazoo (8-3-0) in the MIAA standings with three games remaining as the Hornets knocked off Albion 1-0 on Wednesday.
Calvin's five goals this afternoon increased its league best total to 32 Calvin complements its league best offense with its league best defense which picked up its seventh shut out in 11 league games this season. It was also the second straight game that the Knights scored five or more goals.
"When we get our touch possession game going, it's fun to watch from the sidelines," said Coach Chris Hughes. "It puts a lot of havoc on the other team's defense. When you find the back of the net during the game it just gives you that much more confidence and hopefully [we] can just continue to build on that success."
Capisciolto put Calvin on the board in the 23rd minute with a beautiful chip from the corner of the box that drifted over the Alma goal keeper. The goal was his sixth of the season and put Calvin up 1-0. Freshman Scott Hooker (Hudsonville/ Unity Christian) was credited with an assist on the play. Despite outshooting fifth place Alma 11-2 in the first half, Calvin failed to notch another goal in the half.
Just 40 seconds into the second half, Capisciolto redirected a ball from junior Dan VanSlyke (Grove City, PA/ Grove City) into the net to double the Knight lead. With his second goal of the game, Capisciolto has seven on the year, second to only sophomore Michael Holwerda (Grand Rapids/ Grand Rapids Christian).
"Nick came to play today," said Hughes. "He really dominated the middle of the field. His defensive presence really helped his offensive opportunities and he played big. He knows he only has a couple games left and he wants to go out in stride." Calvin tacked up another eleven shots in the second half, but unlike the first half the Knights were able to find the net.
Senior Jared Litty (Hudsonville/ Hudsonville) worked the ball past two defenders along the end line and wound up to rocket a shot by the keeper from about six yards out to put Calvin up 3-0 in the 51st minute. It was Litty's fifth of the season. Late in the second half, Calvin continued the offensive onslaught when Alex McKenzie (Lindenhurst, IL/ Antioch) assisted Kyle Billin (Hudsonville/ Unity Christian). It was McKenzie's first assist of the season and Billin's first goal. In the 85th minute, freshman Ben DiPalo (Silver Lake, OH/ Cuyahoga Valley Christian) assisted Ben Buehrle (Wyoming/ Tri-Unity Christian) for the Knights' fifth goal.
"I'm hoping that we're [almost peaking]," said Hughes after the win extended his team's unbeaten streak to ten games. "There's still things we need to iron out but when that light bulb goes on in the game you can see it kick on." Junior Darrin Cline (Grandville/ Grandville) and senior Dave Fortosis (West Chicago, IL/ Wheaton Academy) split halves for the second consecutive game. Cline saw only two shots at the goal and recorded no saves while Fortosis recorded six saves.
Calvin will host fourth place Albion in its third to last league game on Saturday at 2 p.m. After Albion, Calvin hosts 3-7-1 Adrian and closes out its season at 2-8-1 Tri-State.
