GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Calvin women's soccer team advanced to the MIAA Tournament Championship game with a 2-0 victory over visiting Olivet in the MIAA Tournament semifinals Thursday afternoon at Zuidema Field.

Calvin (17-2-2) will host the MIAA Tournament Championship game on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Zuidema Field against Hope. Hope won its semifinal game Thursday night, defeating Kalamazoo 2-0.

Senior Paige Capel (Hudsonville/Unity Christian HS) scored a pair of second half goals to help Calvin gain the win.

Capel broke a scoreless deadlock just over six minutes into the second half by ripping in a rebound off her own shot that had deflected off the Olivet defense.

Capel then got loose for a breakaway with just under seven minutes left in regulation to give Calvin a 2-0 advantage and help seal the win. The goals by Capel were her 13th and 14th of the season. She is now ranked 7th on the Calvin career list for goals (47) and 6th in points (118).

Ranked third in the latest Division III Central Region rankings, Calvin now owns an unbeaten streak of 19 games dating back to early September.

The win did not come without a hard-fought effort as Olivet (11-6-3) put up a stubborn defensive wall and created a handful of quality scoring chances of its own in the match.

Calvin's win over Olivet also marked its fourth game in a nine-day stretch including its second contest against Olivet in five days as the Knights had defeated the Comets 1-0 last Saturday.

"I think the amount of games we have played in the last several days led to some tired legs for us in the first half," said Calvin women's soccer coach Mark Recker. "Our touches weren't always right and our players had to start willing their bodies to operate. Our first half was not quite as sharp as what we would have liked."

Calvin finished the game with a 17-4 shots at goal advantage. Calvin nearly scored in the first half as a header by sophomore Anica Pausma (Tinley Park, IL/Chicago Christian HS) was cleared off the backline by Olivet goalkeeper Deanna Zolnoski.

Capel's early goal in the second half changed the complexion of the game, forcing Olivet to press back for the tying goal.

Olivet came close in the 62nd minute as sophomore Isabelle Leon ripped a shot through traffic that Calvin goalkeeper Holly Ellerbroek (Holland/Holland Christian HS) was able to spy and then corral.

"She (Leon) is a fabulous striker," said Recker. "You can't just mark her with one player. Their goalkeeper (Zolnoski) is also a special player and their defense and midfield is also very good. Olivet is a tough unit that is well coached and plays well together."

Ellerbroek finished the game with the one save in collecting her

Calvin will now prepare for Saturday's MIAA Tournament Championship game. The Knights will be playing in the tournament final for the third time in four years. "I think we have seven seniors in particular that will lead this group and not back down," said Recker. "They won't let tired bodies be an excuse. We are also glad that this game will be played on our field. We prize home field advantage and we are hoping that we have a good fan group that will come out to support us Saturday."