Box Score DELAWARE, Oh. – The Calvin men's soccer team opened NCAA III Tournament play with an impressive 4-0 victory over the University of Rochester Friday evening on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University.
The Knights advance to the second round where they will face host Ohio Wesleyan Saturday at 5 p.m. The two non-conference rivals finished in a 3-3 overtime draw back on September 4 in Grand Rapids. Ohio Wesleyan defeated Knox College 1-0 in the opening first round game on Friday.
In its victory over Rochester (9-4-4), Calvin (16-3-2) jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead on a goal by senior Mason Smith (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) in the 13th minute of play. Freshman Zach Flowerday (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) ignited the play with a lead pass with Smith finishing with a low shot to the far post.
In the 24th minute, Calvin doubled its advantage as junior Aguma Muhumuza (Baton Rouge, La./The Dunham School) headed in his fourth goal of the season, redirecting a corner from Smith inside the near post.
Calvin led 2-0 at halftime but did not waste time in adding to its lead in the second half as senior Sam Twigg (Auckland, New Zealand) blasted in a rebound shot off a save by the Rochester goalkeeper. Twigg added his second goal of the game moments later, blasting a shot just under the crossbar after receiving a back-pass from junior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS).
Calvin cruised from that point on to claim the shutout win. The Knights held a 20-10 shots at goal advantage. Junior Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) was strong in goal for the Knights with five saves.
COACHES COMMENT: "What a great win for our guys tonight," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "Coach (Chris) Apple is one of my favorites in the game and I have so much respect for he and the Rochester program. I thought we were really good in transition and were able to keep the ball in important spots. At the same time, our defending was locked in, and Daniel (Wunder) was fantastic when called upon. Now we turn to maybe the original blue blood in Division 3 soccer. We will have to rest up and do so quickly to take on a very talented Ohio Wesleyan side tomorrow."
