Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The No. 2 Calvin men's soccer team earned a 4-1 victory over the Kalamazoo Hornets on Wednesday night to remain undefeated on the season. The Hornets struck first, but the Knights responded with four unanswered goals to claim the decisive home victory.
The Knights remain in sole possession of first place in the MIAA with a 5-0-0 conference mark, also boasting a 9-0-0 overall record. With the loss, the Hornets fall to 3-5-1 overall and 2-3-0 in conference play.
Sophomore Hunter Olson (Canton, Mich./Canton) and junior Bobby McCaw (Dubuque, Iowa, Hempstead) drove the Knights' offense, each finishing with two goals along with an assist apiece.
"Kalamazoo's a really good team. You're going to have look long and hard to find a Kalamazoo game that's not a battle, but it's another important three points," said head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "I thought we did a great job rebounding after giving up an early goal and played a much better second half."
The Knights had a handful of early chances, logging four shots in the first 18 minutes of play. Kalamazoo's countered, taking the lead on a goal by Tim Jeske in the 26th minute.
The Knights offense answered, scoring back-to-back goals to steal the lead.
In the 35th minute, sophomore Ian Adams (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) crossed the ball to Olson who sent it into the bottom right corner of the net. Two minutes later, Calvin leading scorer McCaw gave the Knights the lead, chipping a shot past the Kalamazoo keeper off a long through ball from Trent Vegter (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian).
At the halftime break, the Knights held a 7-3 shots advantage.
Calvin controlled the second half, holding the Hornets to only one shot, while adding two goals of their own.
In the 80th minute, the Knights scored the crucial goal to give themselves a two-goal advantage. Senior Derek Williams (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) centered the ball and McCaw got a touch before Olson tapped it into the near post.
McCaw rounded out the scoring for the Knights, capitalizing in the 86th minute as Jacob Witte (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) fed him for a one-timer. Olson earned a secondary assist on Calvin's final goal.
Calvin outshot Kalamazoo 13-4 in the victory. The Knights fired 9 shots on goal compared to Kalamazoo's two.
Calvin goalkeeper Nate Van Ryn (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian) made one save on the evening.
The Knights are back in action on Saturday in their homecoming game. Calvin will host Olivet at 7:30 p.m. at Zuidema Field.
