GRAND RAPIDS - The Calvin men's soccer team clinched the MIAA regular season championship for the 16th consecutive season with a 3-0 win over Kalamazoo on Saturday night at Zuidema Field.

The Knights had the opportunity to clinch the conference title with a win, but the first half did not go as they hoped as the Hornets out-shot them 11-4 and the teams went into the half tied 0-0.

The match remained scoreless until the 67th minute, when Evan Morrison (Canton, Mich./Canton) drew a foul in the box and Oliver Akintade (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) cashed in the penalty kick to give Calvin the 1-0 lead. 

The Knights settled in after taking the lead and added to that advantage with a goal from Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) on a one-time deflection off a cross into the box from Mason Smith (Flint, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic) in the 80th minute. 

Just over two minutes later, Kadin Shaban (Jenison, Mich./Unity Christian) added the final insurance goal from a sharp angle inside the box on the right side to give the Knights the final 3-0 margin.

On a night where 11 Calvin seniors were recognized at halftime for their contributions to the program, the Knights turned the game around in the second half as they out-shot the Hornets 14-6 overall and 5-1 in shots on goal. 

Senior keeper Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) notched his fifth clean sheet of the season, with four of those shutouts coming in MIAA play.

Schau's goal was his MIAA-leading 12th of the season, while Akintade and Shaban scored their eighth and third goals, respectively.

Calvin improved to 13-2-2 overall and 5-1-0 in MIAA play with the win. Kalamazoo fell to 5-7-5 on the season and 2-2-2 in league play in defeat. 

COACH'S COMMENT: "I thought it was a huge credit to our guys," Calvin head coach Ryan Souders said of the win. "We got really outplayed in the first half. Kalamazoo is an unbelievable team. I know their record maybe doesn't reflect that, but they've played an incredibly difficult schedule. They've got a bunch of talented guys, and there's no one I respect more than coach Shabazz. I thought we made a couple adjustments at halftime and really played well in the second half."

For more from coach Souders on the Knights' win, their 16th straight conference title, and the 11 seniors recognized at halftime, watch the video below:



NEXT UP: Calvin men' s soccer will close the regular season with a game at Olivet on Tuesday, October 25, at 4 PM.