Box Score KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Calvin men's soccer picked up a huge road conference win at Kalamazoo on a windy and rainy night by a score of 2-1.
The victory keeps Calvin (6-1-0 overall, 5-0-0 MIAA) atop the league standings with two regular season conference games left to play.
The game started with some early fouls on both teams as neither team was gaining ground. Calvin was getting good chances in the early minutes as Oliver Akintade (Lake Forest, IL / Lake Forest) had a shot, but it was saved by Kalamazoo's keeper. Senior Drew Van Andel (Grand Haven, MI / Grand Haven) made an attempt with a header on corner, but it was just high.
The Knights kept pressing the attack in the first half and it finally paid off. With just a few minutes left in the half, senior Shay Smith (Columbus, OH / Worthington Christian) put one in the back of the net, settling a chipped pass into the box from teammate Seamus Kilgallon (Plainfield, IL / Wheaton Academy) and blasting a shot into the roof of the goal, giving Calvin a 1-0 lead.
With only seven seconds left in the first half, Calvin was able to double its lead with a goal from junior Luca Seazzu (Albuquerque, NM / Albuquerque) after a corner kick deflected off the keeper's hands and to the feet of Seazzu who made no mistake with his first touch. Calvin took a 2-0 lead heading into halftime with their defense holding strong in the first half only allowing one shot on goal.
The Hornets came striking out of halftime as they scored in the first five minutes of the second half to cut the deficit to 2-1. Kalamazoo went on the attack generating additional scoring opportunities. Sophomore Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, MI / Grand Rapids Christian) made a great save in the 67th minute to keep the Knights in the lead.
Calvin's defense held strong through the closing minutes with Kalamazoo sailing one shot high and another wide. Calvin then maintained possession of the ball over the final 90 seconds to seal the win.
COACHES COMMENT: "That's a huge road win," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "Kalamazoo is really tough, and even more so on its own pitch. Our guys dug one tonight and a credit to them for doing so. We still have things to learn and improve on but a huge three points in the league standings for our side."
UP NEXT: The Knights will host rival Hope on Tuesday April 13 with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Zuidema Field.
