Box Score By Paul Kluitenberg
Grand Rapids, Mich – The Calvin College Women's Soccer Team took on the Flying Dutch of Hope College today on a cold and rainy afternoon at Zuidema Field in front of a crowd that was 400 strong. Both teams looked to take sole possession of first place in the MIAA with a win this afternoon.
The Dutch came out strong with two shots, one of those on goal, in the first nine minutes of gameplay. Calvin quickly took control of the game taking three shots, two on goal, and three corners in the remaining 35 minutes of the first half and entered halftime with momentum.
In the second half, Hope took eight shots. Hope's best opportunity to score came with 41 seconds left in the second half when Rachel Braginton (Grandville, Mich / Grandville) broke away from the Calvin defense and put a shot just over the cross bar. The Knights and Dutch headed to sudden death overtime.
Calvin began overtime with a hunger for victory. The Knights had the shot advantage over hope 6-0 over the two periods of overtime. Calvin's best opportunity of the evening came on a header by junior Kailey Jo (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) that sailed just over the crossbar. In the 97th minute, Calvin fired a shot from Taylor Ten Harmsel (Holland, Mich. / Holland Christian) that was saved by Hope Goalkeeper Mary Clare Theis (East Langsing. MI / Haslett). Junior Carley Veenstra (North Haledon, NJ/Eastern Christian HS) also came close with a shot in the second overtime. When the final whistle blew, the two teams had settled for a 0-0 double-overtime time.
The tie keeps the two teams locked in a tie for first place in the MIAA standings at 7-0-1 in league play. Calvin is 9-2-1 overall while Hope is 10-1-1 overall.
The Knights ended the afternoon with a 14-10 shot advantage and a 5-2 advantage on corner kicks. Carly Veenstra, Kailey Jo, and Taylor Ten Harmsel finished the game with three shots each.
Calvin's defense had a strong outing only allowing three total shots on goal. Holly Ellerbroek (Holland, Mich. / Holland Christian) played well in the net, making two saves and recording her sixth shutout of the season.
Following the match, Head Coach Mark Recker felt satisfied with his Knights' performance saying "Hope has good players, and they are capable of putting the ball in the back of the net. We walk out of this satisfied with what we displayed on the field." He continued to praise his team stating that "when they buy in and compete with heart and passion and bring it to the field, we can compete with almost every team".
The Knights will take the field again Wed, Oct. 7 at Trine University at 4:00 p.m.
