Box Score ADRIAN, Mich. – The Calvin men's soccer team stretched its win streak to three games and remained unbeaten in league play with a 7-0 victory at Adrian Saturday afternoon.
Ranked 21st nationally, Calvin (10-2-2 overall, 2-0-0 MIAA) led 4-0 at halftime, using a pair of late first half goals to take firm control of the match.
The Knights added three goals in the second half and converted a pair of penalty kicks in the match.
Senior Sam Twigg (Aukland, New Zealand) had a hat-trick performance for Calvin in the win – his second of the season and third of his career. Twigg now has 13 goals on the season and 33 in his career. He moved into 13th place on the Calvin career goals list with his three-goal performance on Saturday. Twigg also has 90 points in his career which ranks 14th on the Calvin all-time list.
Twigg opened the scoring in the 19th minute of play, taking a lead pass from junior Seamus Kilgallon (Plainfield, Il./Wheaton Academy) and slipping home a shot from in close after beating the Adrian goalkeeper with a quick touch to set up the wide-open shot.
Calvin doubled its lead in the 29th minute as sophomore Oliver Akintade (Lake Forest, Il./Lake Forest HS) dropped a cross into the box that was deflected backwards into the net by an Adrian defender for an own goal.
In the 36th minute, freshman Ethan Brown (Norton Shores, Mich./Mona Shores HS) was hauled down while breaking free through the right side of the box. The Knights were awarded a penalty kick for the infraction and Twigg stepped up to convert the spot kick.
In the 38th minute, sophomore Evan Nieuwenhuis (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) bounced a shot inside the near post from the left side of the box. The goal was the first collegiate tally for Nieuwenhuis and gave the Knights a 4-0 lead heading into halftime.
Senior Mason Smith (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) hooked up with junior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) in the 53rd minute on a quick passing combination. Smith completed the play with a goal – his sixth of the season – to give the Knights a 5-0 advantage.
Three minutes later, Twigg scored his third goal of the game with Akintade drawing an assist on the play.
Akintade completed the scoring for the Knights, converting a penalty kick in the 60th minute to close out the scoring. The goal was the eighth of the season for Akintade.
Calvin finished the match with a 23-4 shots at goal advantage. Junior goalkeeper Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) went the distance in nets for the Knights, collecting two saves in posting his third consecutive shutout victory.
COACHES COMMENT: "Good to get another three points in the league standings," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "That's a tough trip for our guys and the early start could have slowed us, but our guys were prepared and ready. The result today shows that. We look forward to getting back to Zuidema Field next week as conference play continues."
NEXT UP: Calvin will host Olivet at 4 p.m. at Zuidema Field next Wednesday.
