Box Score (Photo Courtesy of Paulson Photography)
ANGOLA, Ind. – Calvin picked up an important 3-2 conference win at Trine Saturday night to remain in sole possession of first place in the MIAA standings.
The Knights improve to 11-2-0 overall and 5-0-0 in the MIAA, three points ahead of 4-1-0 Adrian.
Calvin scored all three of its goals in the first half and held on down the stretch to claim the win against a hard-charging Trine team (12-2-1 overall, 3-2-0 MIAA) that was intent on making a run at first place in the league standings.
The first half provide plenty of dramatic moments with Calvin opening the scoring in the 26th minute as sophomore Elizabeth Williams (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) received a pull-pack pass just above the six-yard box from sophomore teammate Sophie Mueller (North Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon HS). Williams took the pass and banged in a clinical finish with her shot squirting past a pair of defenders and the Trine keeper to give the Knights a 1-0 advantage.
Just over four minutes later, Trine was awarded a penalty kick after one of its attackers was tripped from behind while moving into the Calvin box on a near breakaway.
Calvin senior goalkeeper Sarah Hoekwater (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) then stepped up and swallowed up the penalty kick save with a diving save. Trine was awarded a corner kick after the save and made good on the chance as the corner was sent to the top of the box, deflected into the six-yard box and finished into the back of the Calvin net by Teresa Ashbrook to tie the game 1-1.
Calvin quickly moved the ball up the field on the ensuing kickoff with Mueller driving a pass into the box that sophomore Katitlyn Van Laare (Toronto, Ont./Toronto District Christian HS) jumped on and smacked into the back of the net to give Calvin the lead and the momentum right back. The Van Laare goal came 12 seconds after the Trine equalizer.
In the 39th minute, junior Kayla Beebe (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian HS) beat a defender on the right wing and sent a nifty cross on the ground to Mueller on the left side of the penalty box. Mueller took one quick touch to get free for a shot and then lashed a shot home just inside the near post for her team-leading 13th goal of the season.
The Mueller goal allowed Calvin to take a 3-1 lead into halftime. The Knights were able to manage the game for the opening 20 minutes of the second half before Trine was able to grab a life-line, scoring a goal off a free kick in the 75th minute of play.
Calvin's defense remained steady down the stretch however with Hoekwater coming off her line to snare a pair of dangerous crosses to keep the Thunder from tying the game and closing out the win for the Knights.
Calvin finished the game with a 16-4 shots at goal advantage. Hoekwater had one save and was credited with the win for the Knights in goal.
COACHES COMMENT: "Great to get a win on the road tonight," said Calvin head women's soccer coach Emily Ottenhoff. "They don't' come easy in this conference. Trine is a very talented and organized team. We knew this would be a challenging match for us. We look forward to getting back to work Monday."
NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to Albion next Wednesday for a 7 p.m. conference match.
