Box Score ALMA, Mich. – The Calvin women's soccer team improved to 15-2-1 on the year with a double-overtime victory at Alma on Tuesday afternoon. The Knights defeated the Scots, 4-3. The win moves Calvin to 13-0-1 in the MIAA and keeps the Knights two points ahead of second-place Hope in the MIAA standings at 40 points.
"I feel we are mentally tougher after today," said head coach Mark Recker. "Alma came in with a lot of energy. Alma tied it up twice and kept pushing but we didn't fold. I feel that we showed a lot of mental toughness today."
Senior Paige Capel (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) struck first in the ninth minute for her 10th goal of the season. Freshman Mackenna Nesky (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) was credited with an assist.
Calvin went into halftime leading in shots, 8-5.
Paige Capel struck again in the 49th minute getting a rebound from her own shot to put the ball in the back of the net for her second goal of the day.
The Scots struck back, Allysen Neumann got Alma on the board in the 56th minute off of a free kick from 26 yards out.
Alma tied the match three minutes later with a goal off of the chest of Agetha Weddle from a free kick from Allison Smith.
The Knights had gone 714 minutes without giving up a goal. The streak had lasted since Sept. 29.
Paige Capel broke the tie with her third goal of the day in the 71st minute. Senior Taylor TenHarmsel (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) was credited with an assist.
Her three goals were the first Calvin hat-trick since Sept. 30, 2014 when Capel scored three goals in the final 10 minutes at Olivet.
"She is really coming into her own," said Recker. She finally feels that she is playing up to her potential. I am very proud of her."
Ashly Bonam tied the match up for Alma in the 81st minute off of a free kick from 18 yards out.
The two teams would go to overtime tied at three.
Senior Holly Ellerbroek (Holland Mich./Holland Christian) recorded a big save in the 95th minute to save the game from a shot from Jessica Burg.
Mackenna Nesky had a golden opportunity in the 97th minute, but the ball bounced off the crossbar.
Freshman Bekah Maguire (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) became the hero of the day, putting the ball in the back of the net. Maguire headed the ball in from a pass from Taylor TenHarmsel.
Calvin returns to action on Saturday as the Knights travel to Olivet.
