GRAND RAPIDS, Mich- A dominant first half propelled the Knights to a 3-2 win over Albion in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals Tuesday night at Zuidema Field. 

Calvin will host rival Hope in the MIAA Tournament Championship game Saturday at 4 p.m. at Zuidema Field with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA III Tournament.

Right away it was apparent that the game would be very physical as both teams competed aggressively and exchanged fouls. In the 24th minute Calvin would get its first chance when junior Oliver Akintade (Lake Forest, Ill/Lake Forest) went streaking down the left side of the pitch. He was battling his defender just inside the 18-yard box when he was taken down and the Knights were awarded a penalty kick. Akintade stepped up and rocketed the ball into the back of the net giving Calvin the early 1-0 lead.

Twenty minutes later, with just 26 seconds left in the half, senior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich/Grand Rapids Christian) battled for a ball in the box and was able to slot a pass between two Albion defenders. He found junior Zach Flowerday (Holland, Mich/Holland Christian) who snuck the ball under the arms of the charging goalkeeper to give Calvin a 2-0 lead going into the half.

In the second half both teams continued exchanging chances until freshman Jonah Meyer-Crothers (Sylvania, Ohio/Sylvania Northview) stepped up and intercepted one of Albion's passes. He carried the ball down the left flank to the end line before cutting it back and finding a wide open Jacob Ryu (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) who buried the ball giving Calvin a commanding 3-0 lead.

Albion tried to bounce back by scoring a goal in the 68th minute and another in the 73rd minute but were not able to break the Knights' defense the rest of the game giving Calvin the 3-2 win.

Calvin outshot Albion 21-11 and senior goalkeeper Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich/Grand Rapids Christian) recorded 4 saves on the night. Furthermore, tonight's win marked 200 wins for men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. 

COACHES COMMENT: "They made it difficult for us," said head coach Ryan Souders. "We knew that they would fight and they had some spectacular goals. Getting a goal early certainly is huge and I think that it changed a bit of the complexity of the game. But we're just happy to get the win and look forward to having the (championship) date on Saturday."

UP NEXT: The Knights will welcome the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College to Zuidema Field on Saturday at 4 p.m. to compete for the MIAA Championship.