GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The ninth-ranked Calvin women's soccer team remained on top of the MIAA table with a 4-0 shutout over visiting Saint Mary's Tuesday night at Zuidema Field.
Calvin improves to 11-0-0 with the win while improving to 3-0-0 in league play. The Knights are two points ahead of Hope and Trine in the MIAA table heading into a Saturday showdown at Hope.
In its win over Saint Mary's, Calvin scored two goals in each half while using strong backline play on defense to cement the win.
Calvin opened the scoring in the seventh minute as sophomore
Lindsey Houtsma (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) blew through the box, latched on to a loose ball and dribbled the ball past the keeper and deposited the ball in the back of the net. The goal was the fifth of the year for Houtsma.
Calvin doubled its lead in the 19
th minute when freshman
Tatum Goodling (Charlotte, NC/Covenant Day) sent a cross to the far side of the box that freshman
Mia Judd (Grand Ledge, Mich./Lansing Christian HS) was able to head back across the box and into the far corner of the net. The goal was the fifth of the year for Judd.
In the 58
th minute, junior
Kaitlyn Van Laare (Toronto, Ont./Toronto District Christian HS) launched a free kick that freshman
Lucy Iverson (Naperville, Il./Naperville North HS) ran onto and slammed into the net for her third goal of the season.
In the 75
th minute, junior
Maggie Smith (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) pounced on a deflected ball in the Saint Mary's box and tucked a shot inside the far post for her second goal of the season.
Calvin dominated possession and held a 27-3 shots at goal advantage. Sophomore
Kalex Dodge (Leslie, Mich./Leslie HS) collected her 11
th shutout of the year while making a pair of saves.
COACHES COMMENT: "Good to get another result tonight at home," said Calvin head women's soccer coach
Emily Ottenhoff. "I thought we started a little slow but found better energy in the second half. We'll need to get back to work tomorrow as we start to prepare for a very good Hope team."
NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to rival Hope on Saturday for a showdown set for noon at Van Andel Stadium.