GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin opened its new home in style on Friday night, defeating the visiting Capital University Comets 5-1 at the new Zuidema Field.

Friday's match featured a pair of team that reached the 2022 NCAA III Tournament and captured their respective conference tournament titles (Calvin, MIAA/Capital/OAC) last fall.

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. The Zuidema name made the move a few yards west on Friday and the nationally-ranked Calvin women's soccer team put on a show that made the Zuidema family proud.

Ranked 19^th nationally, Calvin struck for two early goals in taking a 2-0 halftime lead. The Knights then scored three highlight-reel goals in the second half to build a 5-0 advantage. Only a late Capital score in the closing seconds prevented a Calvin shutout win.

Calvin took the early momentum as senior Maggie Smith (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) banged in a loose ball of a corner kick taken by senior teammate Kaitlyn Van Laare (Toronto, Ont./Toronto District Christian HS) just 4:38 into the match.

With 15 minutes elapsed, senior Sophie Mueller (North Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon HS) made a strong run into the edge of the box and slipped a pass to senior teammate Elizabeth Williams (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) after drawing a double-team. Williams made good use of the space, tucking a shot just inside the far post for a 2-0 Calvin lead.

The Knights continued to press the attack in the second half, banging the crossbar twice, first on a shot in a goalmouth scrum by sophomore Lucy Iverson (Naperville, Il./Naperville North HS) and then by Williams who nearly beat the Capital keeper from distance.

Calvin then broke through for a 3-0 lead in the 67^th minute as Mueller generated another run to the edge of the box, slipped a pass that deflected off the foot and Williams right to an onrushing Anna Reimink (Winona Lake, Ind./Lakeland Christian Academy) with Reimink ramming a low shot just past a diving keeper for her first goal of the year.

Just 29 seconds later, Smith curled in a cross from the left wing that Williams met with a rush through the center. Williams caught the pass flush and belted a curling shot inside the upper right hand post that gave the Knights a commanding lead.

The scoring was not over however as Calvin's reserves got into the scoring column in the 78^th minute. Freshman Lindsay Hart (Midland, Mich./HH Dow HS) sent a corner kick from the right wing to teammate Avery Mrozinski (Milford, Mich./Milford HS) who smashed a header past a lunging Capital goalkeeper for the final Calvin goal of the match.

Calvin finished the match with a 27-6 shots at goal advantage. Calvin junior Kalex Dodge (Leslie, Mich./Leslie HS) got the win in goal for the Knights and was credited with one save.

COACHES COMMENT: "A great day our new Zuidema Field!" said Calvin head women's soccer coach Emily Ottenhoff. "Thank you to the Calvin community who came out to support our team today. The atmosphere was fun. Pleased with the result today from our women. I thought we moved the ball well and created a lot of scoring opportunities. We look forward to getting the opportunity to compete again on Tuesday against a strong Carroll team."

NEXT UP: Calvin will host Carroll University of Wisconsin on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Zuidema Field.