GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin christened the new Zuidema Field with an exciting 4-2 come-from-behind victory over visiting St. Norbert College Friday evening.

Prior to Friday's game, the new turf field was rededicated in honor of longtime Calvin soccer coach and athletics administrator Dr. Marv Zuidema. Calvin's previous grass field, located just east of the new turf field was renamed Zuidema Field in 2005. Several Calvin men's soccer alumni were in attendance Friday night to support Calvin's new facility.

Despite an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 fans, Calvin got off on the back foot as the Knights were whistled for a foul in the box that led to a St. Norbert penalty kick in the 20^th minute of play. St. Norbert's Joe Meade stepped up and made good on the spot kick to give the visiting Green Knights an early 1-0 advantage.

Calvin came up with an equalizer in the 28^th minute on a high-level rush through the right wing. Sophomore Jacob Ryu (Naperville, Il./Naperville North HS) ignited the play with a one-two pass to senior Zach Flowerday (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) with Flowerday slotting a quick return pass in front of goal that senior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) rifled over the head of St. Nobert goalkeeper Nate Jocz.

Four minutes later, Calvin failed to clear the ball from its defensive third and St. Norbert took advantage, banging in a shot through a scrum of defenders to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.

Ranked 19^th nationally, Calvin came out with improved energy in the second half and once again equalized, this time off the foot of senior Oliver Akintade (Lake Forest, Il./Lake Forest HS) who raced through the right side of the box on a solo rush and ripped a shot home to level the score 2-2.

In the 66^th minute, a St. Olaf player was issued a second yellow card, leading to a subsequent red card dismissal. The man-advantage allowed Calvin to pin St. Norbert in its own half down the stretch.

Calvin found the break-through in the 83^rd minute as Flowerday once again came roaring in from the right wing and slipped a cross through the goalmouth. Pinching in on a tight angle, junior Alex White (Lake Bluff, Il./Lake Forest Academy) redirected the cross just inside the near post to give the Knights their first lead of the game at 3-2.

St. Norbert received a free kick in the Calvin half in the final minute of play. The Green Knights used their goalkeeper on the free kick which was intercepted by Calvin. Schau was able to get on to a lead pass and looped a long shot over the head of the back-pedaling keeper to complete the scoring while notching an individual two-goal brace for the evening.

Calvin finished the game with an 18-11 shots at goal advantage. Junior Kaelen Matascastillo (New Kensington, Pa./Minnesota Virtual Academy) got the start in goal and collected four saves in recording the win.

COACHES COMMENT: "A good comeback win against a very well-coached and strong St. Norbert side," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "St. Norbert made things difficult for us and we had to dig down a bit, but I thought we found our stride a bit and received some strong contributions throughout our roster. I also want to recognize the fantastic atmosphere from our fans and supporters this evening. It was an honor to recognize the Zuidema family today and it was also a thrill to have so many of our alumni from many different eras out to support Calvin soccer. We thank our alumni for that support and we invite them to continue to join us at future games at this amazing facility."

NEXT UP:  Calvin will host 24^th-ranked Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Zuidema Field. The match will bring an Ohio Wesleyan team that fought Hope to a 0-0 tie on Friday in Holland. The visiting Battling Bishops are 8-0-3 over their last 11 matches dating back to the 2022 season.