Box Score By Gina de Haan
On Tuesday afternoon, the Calvin men's soccer team hosted the Bulldogs of Adrian College in the MIAA opener for both teams.
Now ranked ninth in the latest NSCAA Division III Top 25 poll, the Knights entered into the contest with a 3-1-0 mark while the fifth-ranked Bulldogs held a 2-2-0 record.
Both teams saw scoring chances early, but were unable to capitalize until the 36th minute when Calvin freshman Ian Adams (Grand Rapids, MI/Grand Rapids Christian HS) headed in a goal off a chip shot by sophomore Trent Vegter (Hudsonville, MI/Unity Christian HS).
Adams' goal gave the Knights an offensive spark as they went on to outshoot the visiting team 5-0 in the remainder of the first half. At halftime, shots were 15-1 in favor of Calvin.
In the 77
th minute, senior
Stephan Hooker (Hudsonville, MI/Unity Christian HS) found the back of the net to build on the Knights' lead. It was junior
Mitch Stark (South Lyon, MI/South Lyon HS), the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week, who found Hooker to record his fifth assist of the season.
Calvin controlled the second half, only allowing the Bulldogs to put one shot on goal. The Knights outshot their visitors 26-2 in the MIAA matchup.
Calvin goalkeeper
Nate Van Ryn (Grandville, MI/Calvin Christian HS) recorded one save in the victory.
"It was good to open our conference schedule with a win," said Calvin men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "Adrian is a much improved team and (head coach) Charlie Edwards has done a great job with that program. The schedule will not get any easier. We have a big challenge ahead of us Saturday night on the road. We will have be prepared and ready to go."
The Knights will travel to Holland on Saturday to take on MIAA rival Hope College. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
