Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin men's soccer team bowed out of the MIAA Tournament with a 1-0 overtime loss to Trine in a tournament semifinal match.
The visiting Thunder upset the nationally-ranked Knights with a game-wining goal with just 21 seconds left in the first overtime.
Trine striker Tyler Murphy broke free off a quick turn and lead pass from teammate Francesco Mazzei that split the Calvin defense. Murphy made no mistake on the chance, tucking a low shot just inside the far post with a one-touch to give the Thunder the stunning overtime win.
Calvin had a big chance to take the lead in the 75th minute when the Knights were awarded a penalty kick after an attacker was tripped up in the box attempt to shoot a ball off a cross into the box.
Calvin's penalty kick was saved however with a diving deflection by Trine keeper Troy Saylor. Saylor gave up a short rebound on the play, but the rebound shot was smothered by Saylor to keep the game 0-0.
Calvin (15-3-2 overall) outshot Trine 10-6 in the second half and made several promising runs but were unable to get a final touch to put a shot in the back of the net.
In overtime, Calvin junior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) broke free through the right side of the Trine defense off a well-placed chip from senior Mason Smith (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS). Schau launched a shot from just outside the top of the box that sailed just wide of the far post.
Just over a minute later, Mazzei was able to collect a ball just past midfield, turn and then slot a perfect pass to Murphy running through a narrow channel of space for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
Calvin finished with an 18-13 shots at goal advantage. The Knights were whistled for 25 fouls and Trine for 20. Calvin junior goalkeeper Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) had two saves in goal for the Knights. Saylor had five saves for the Thunder.
The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Knights and was their first defeat since late September.
Ranked fifth in the latest Division III Central Region rankings, the Knights will now be forced to play a waiting game to see if their name is called for an at-large bid when the NCAA III Tournament field is released next Monday.
COACHES COMMENT: "Congratulations to Trine. They came out and got a win," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "I feel like we created enough chances to get a result, but we didn't execute in moments we needed to. We'll now leave it up to the committee. It's my hope and belief that our body of work has earned an at-large bid, but we will wait and see now that it's out of our hands."
