The 15th-ranked Calvin men's soccer team opened its 2015 MIAA season with a 3-0 shutout over the visiting Thunder of Trine University Wednesday afternoon at Zuidema Field. 

Calvin outshot Trine (3-3-1 overall) the Thunder 18-6 but was unable to dent the back of the net until the closing moments of the first half when sophomore Micah Beard (Otsego/Otsego HS) whipped in a shot after receiving a pass from freshman Jacob Witte (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS).

The goal came with just 2:10 left in the first half and the fourth of the season for Beard. 

Calvin continued to pepper the Trine goal in the second half but did not break through again until the 74th minute when Witte ripped a shot from the wing past the Trine keeper on a feed from junior Isky VanDoorne (Calgary, AB/Western Canada HS).

Five minutes later, Witte struck again, this time off a lead pass from freshman Bobby McCaw (Dubuque, IA/Hempstead HS).

Meanwhile senior goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos (Markham, Ont/St. Augustine Catholic HS) was stellar once again, making three acrobatic saves to post his third shutout of the season the 15th of his Calvin career.

"It wasn't always pretty for us today but you have to credit Trine for some of that because they are a much improved side," said Calvin men's soccer coach Ryan Souders after the game. "I expect every game in our league this season to be a battle. We got some strong contributions off the bench from our young guys which was nice to see. We will need them to contribute as the season continues."

Calvin is now 5-0-1 on the season heading into a Saturday showdown with rival Hope at 2:30 p.m. at Zuidema Field.