By Mark DeHaan

WHEATON, IL - The Calvin men's soccer team traveled to Wheaton, Illinois on Friday night for a top-25 showdown with the Thunder of Wheaton College.

Despite both entering with 1-1 records, Calvin was ranked 19th in the latest Division III top-25 poll while Wheaton was 10th.

Playing in rainy conditions, the Knights trailed 2-0 at one point in the first half. Calvin did come back to tie, but allowed the winning goal with 10 minutes remaining and could not again equalize the match as the host Thunder claimed a 3-2 win.

In the 14th minute, Wheaton took an early 1-0 lead. A poor clearance from the Calvin defense fell at the feet of a Thunder attacker, who promptly put it past the unsuspecting Knights keeper for a goal.

Wheaton doubled its lead just over ten minutes later. A Thunder shot hit a Calvin defender on the hand inside the box, providing Wheaton with a penalty kick. The Thunder then converted the kick, and the Knights found themselves in a two goal deficit.

In the 41st minute, Calvin showed signs of life. Making a run down the left-hand side, freshman Matt Hinds (Frankenmuth/Frankenmuth HS) sent a ball into the box that deflected off a Wheaton defender and into the back of the net to halve the Thunder advantage.

Seconds later, a Knights free kick from sophomore Isky Van Doorne (Calgary, AB/Western Canada HS)) was headed on frame by senior Sean Broekhuizen (Grand Rapids/South Christian HS) but tipped over by the Thunder keeper.

The remainder of the first half then ticked away, and at halftime, Wheaton held a 2-1 lead as well as an 8-3 advantage in shots.

Minutes into the second half, the Thunder goalkeeper misplayed a cross by Calvin freshman Mitch Stark (South Lyon/South Lyon HS) and the ball ended up in the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2.

In the 73rd minute, Calvin again threatened as a header from sophomore Stephan Hooker (Hudsonville/Unity Christian HS) was just wide.

The Thunder were then able to take the lead in the 80th minute on a header by Adam Blackmon, also the scorer of the penalty kick, as host Wheaton went up a goal at 3-2.

Unfortunately, Calvin could not pull level over the remaining 10 minutes, and Wheaton claimed a 3-2 win.

The Thunder outshot the Knights 17-5 over the course of the game while Calvin held a 6-4 corner kicks advantage. Junior goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos (Markham, ON/St. Augustine Catholic HS) made five saves in net.

The Knights, now 1-2 overall, have a quick turnaround as they play again on Saturday night. Calvin will be traveling east to Elmhurst College to face the Blue Jays in a contest which is scheduled to kick-off at 8:00 p.m. (EDT).