Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin women's soccer team picked up an important three points in a tight MIAA race, with a 1-0 overtime victory over Trine.
"It is important to pick up those three points," said head coach Mark Recker. "Our goal is to make the MIAA Tournament. It is really within the players control now if they want to keep pushing towards that goal. This outcome was special, after having opportunity after opportunity and feeling if it was ever going to come. To have that special moment after talking before overtime to have two or three people on the same page."
The victory moves the Knights past Adrian in the MIAA standings into fourth place with 24 points. With Kalamazoo unable to compete in the MIAA Tournament, Calvin is currently holding what would be the No. 3 seed in the MIAA Tournament. Calvin trails Olivet with 30 points and leads Adrian with 23 points and Albion at 20 points. Calvin, Albion and Adrian all have three games to play, with Olivet only with two.
Calvin improves to 11-6 on the year and 8-5 in MIAA play.
The Knights had some good offensive chances in the first half on Saturday. Freshman Maria VanderLei (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) had a close call that was picked up by the Thunder keeper.
In the 44th minute, junior Bekah Maguire (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) rang a shot off the crossbar.
The Knights continued to pepper the Trine net in the second half, but they could not find the back of the net.
The Maroon and Gold only needed 54 seconds of extra time to score. Freshman Grace Visser (Coopersville, Mich./Unity Christian) found a hole in the Trine defense and broke past the Trine defender. Visser fielded the pass from freshman Emily Orr (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) and snuck the ball past the goalie.
Saturday marked the final home match for five Calvin seniors.
"This win means so much," said senior Camie Rietberg. "Tonight was a team effort. Everybody came out and battled together, especially in the second half, we did not let up. I am so thankful to be a part of this tam with all of these girls."
Freshman Amy Kliewer (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) posted her sixth shutout of the season.
Senior Sydney Barcey (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) and Maria VanderLei led the Knights with two shots on goal. VanderLei had six total shots on Saturday.
Calvin outshot Trine on Saturday, 10-1.
The Knights return to action on Tuesday for a key MIAA battle at Albion.
