Box Score CHICAGO, Il. – Calvin suffered a 2-0 defeat at the University of Chicago Wednesday evening.
A week ago, Chicago (6-2-1) was ranked ninth nationally and unbeaten but the Maroons suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats, falling to Wheaton and John Carroll to drop out of the national rankings.
Determined not to lose a third match in a row, Chicago pushed the pace from the start, pressuring third-ranked Calvin (7-2-2) throughout the first half.
Chicago broke through for a goal in the 40th minute of play as Richard Gillespie cranked in a shot on a rebound off a free kick into the box.
The Maroons continued to control possession for large portions of the second half.
The Knights began to press for the equalizer in the final 15 minutes, earning back-to-back corner kicks in the final seven minutes.
Chicago was able to come up with a counter-attack and scored the clinching goal on a shot from the top of the box off the foot of Ben Brandt.
Calvin squeezed off two shots including one on goal in the final 1:26 of regulation but was unable to find the back of the net as Chicago came up with the 2-0 victory.
Chicago finished with a 13-4 shots at goal advantage. Calvin junior Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) had three saves in goal for the Knights.
COACHES COMMENT: "We got out played in just about every facet of the game tonight," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "Credit Chicago. They're an exceptionally talented and well-coached group. Now the ball is in our collective court to see if and how we respond. We will need to find a way to get better as a result and more importantly, do it together. I absolutely believe this group has both the capacity and ability to do so, and now we get to hopefully watch it unfold in the coming days and weeks ahead."
NEXT UP: Calvin will host Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday at 1 p.m. as part of Calvin Homecoming Weekend.
