KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Calvin wrapped up its 17^th consecutive outright MIAA regular season title with a dramatic 1-0 victory at Kalamazoo Saturday night.

The win allows the 13^th-ranked Knights to improve to 13-2-1 overall and more importantly to 6-0-0 in the MIAA with one league match day yet to play. Calvin now owns an insurmountable five-point lead over second place Trine. The Knights also clinch the top seed for the upcoming MIAA Tournament and will receive a first round tournament bye and will host an MIAA Tournament semifinal game on November 1 at Zuidema Field.

In its win over Kalamazoo Saturday night, Calvin freshman Foster Garrett (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) scored the winning goal, poking in a deflection in the six-yard box from senior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) in the 66^th minute of play.

Kalamazoo (7-7-2) pressed for the equalizer and had a golden opportunity to do so in the 76^th minute when the Knights were whistled for a hand ball in the box, leading to a penalty kick try for the Hornets. On the penalty kick, Calvin senior Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) smothered a shot by Kalamazoo's Michelle Alia with a diving leap to keep the Knights in front. It marked the second time in three weekends that Wunder had preserved a Calvin lead with a late penalty kick save as he did so in an eventual 3-1 win over Hope on October 7.

Calvin withstood sustained Kalamazoo pressure in the closing minutes to seal the win and the MIAA crown.

The Hornets had the Knights on the back foot for a good portion of the first half but Calvin grew into the match late in the half and nearly scored on two occasions. A shot in the 30^th minute by senior Evan Nieuwenhuis (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) clanged off the Kalamazoo crossbar and a shot by sophomore Jonah Meyer-Crothers (Sylvania, Oh./Sylvania Northview HS) in the 42^nd minute forced Kalamazoo keeper Gavin Houtkooper into making a diving save. Nieuwenhuis threatened again with just over a minute left in the half but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Calvin carried the possession in the opening 20 minutes of the second half and broke through on a combination play in the box that led to a touch by Schau that deflected to the feet of Garrett who poked the ball home for the eventual game-winner.

Kalamazoo finished the match with a 12-9 shots at goal advantage but Wunder came up with four saves in posting his 36^th collegiate shutout victory.

COACHES COMMENT: "What a gritty road result for our guys tonight," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "Not necessarily our best or prettiest but 3 massive points. The guys just found a way. Once again Daniel (Wunder) stood on his head late, making multiple huge saves including the save on the penalty to preserve the win. We'll enjoy this one for the weekend. Really proud of the whole group. Every guy was fired up during that match tonight and just speaks to the character of these guys. Really proud to be associated with them."

NEXT UP: Calvin will conclude regular season play next Wednesday, hosting Olivet at 7 p.m. at Zuidema Field.