GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In a matchup of nationally-ranked teams, top-ranked Chicago used a late second half goal to slide past 10^th-ranked Calvin 2-1 Wednesday evening at Zuidema Field.

Calvin played down a man for the final 53 minutes of the match due to a red card but the Knights played on the front foot for much of the second half.

Calvin (5-1-2) threatened to score on several occasions in the first half but a second yellow in the 38^th minute of play resulted in a red card and a man advantage for Chicago (8-0-0).

The Maroons made good on the advantage with just 1:45 left in the first half as Richard Gillespie was able to get a head on corner kick service and redirect a shot inside the far post to give Chicago a 1-0 advantage.

Down a goal at halftime, Calvin regrouped with a strong 10-man shape along with added determination.

Calvin's resolve resulted in a penalty kick opportunity for junior Oliver Akintade (Lake Forest, Il./Lake Forest HS) just 4:36 into the second half. Akintade made no mistake on the spot kick, rifling a shot into the back of the net to level the score 1-1.

Chicago pressed back for the go-ahead goal and nearly found it in the 60^th minute as a shot by Ryan Yetishefsky rang off the Calvin crossbar.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Calvin senior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) appeared to have given Calvin a 2-1 lead off a long serve into the box by junior Josh Williams (Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia HS). Schau was whistled for a foul on the Chicago goalkeeper however, waiving off the goal.

Chicago finally broke through for the go-ahead goal, scoring in the 79^th minute on a goal by Yetishefsky on a strong run through the left wing.
Chicago was able to kill off the game over the final 10 minutes to claim the victory.

Chicago outshot Calvin 22-13 in the match with senior Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) coming up with eight strong saves in goal for the Knights.

COACHES COMMENT: "So incredibly proud of our guys tonight," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "I felt they were dealt a really difficult hand early that was outside of their circumstances. I thought our guys fought like crazy. A man down, I thought our guys had better moments in the second half. I'm more proud of our product and work-rate tonight than I am with any of our games this year. Our whole group including our guys on the bench were incredible. Chicago is a phenomenal team and all the credit to them for getting the result but I thought our guys were outstanding tonight. If we play with this type of passion the rest of the season, we have the ability to be a really good team."

NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to John Carroll University Saturday night for a 6 p.m. match in University Heights, Ohio.