CALVIN-JOHN CARROLL SMUGMUG PHOTO GALLERY - 9-23-23

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin reversed its fortunes in a big way, defeating fourth-ranked John Carroll University 5-3 Saturday night at Zuidema Field.

The win snapped a two-game losing skid for the Knights who entered the contest ranked 13^th nationally.

The game provided plenty of scoring punch as the two sides played an attack-minded game.

Calvin senior Chris Schau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) scored a pair of highlight-reel goals to help lead the Knights to the win. His first goal came in the 8^th minute of play as he forced a defender into a retreat with a dribble into the box and lofted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that curled off the inside of the far post and into the net for a 1-0 Calvin lead.

Calvin (7-2-0) maintained the one-goal advantage until the 40^th minute when a cross into the Calvin six-yard box was deflected into the net by the Calvin defense for an own goal and a tie game.

Undaunted, Calvin used the final five minutes of the half to retake the lead. Junior Alex White (Lake Bluff, Il./Lake Forest HS) moved the ball into the six-yard box. His initial shot was deflected but fell to the feet of junior Ethan Brown (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores HS) who toe-poked the shot home for his first goal of the season and a 2-1 Calvin lead. Freshman Foster Garrett (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) also drew an assist on the play as his crossing pass into the box set up the initial shot on goal by White.

White struck again in the opening minute of the second half, popping in a combination pass from Schau to give the Knights a stunning early goal and a 3-1 advantage.

John Carroll (5-2-1) scored on a combination play of its own in the 62^nd minute to make it a one-goal game.

In the 71^st minute, a long throw-in from senior Evan Nieuwenhuis (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) was deflected back to the top of the 18-yard box by the John Carroll defense. Schau was waiting for the bouncing ball and smashed a scorching line drive into the top left hand corner off the goal for a 4-2 Calvin lead.

Less than a minute later, Schau set up of senior Oliver Akintade (Lake Forest, Il./Lake Forest HS) for a shot from just outside the six-yard box and Akintade made no mistake in slipping a low hard shot past the keeper for a 5-2 Calvin lead.

John Carroll added a final goal in the 83^rd minute to close out the scoring.

John Carroll held a 24-18 shots at goal advantage. Calvin senior goalkeeper Daniel Wunder (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) came up with seven saves including a handful of key stops on shots from inside the 18-yard box to put the Knights in a position to win.

The win was Calvin's third this fall over a nationally-ranked opponent as it also had defeated Top-25 opponents Ohio Wesleyan and Ohio Northern earlier in the year.

COACHES COMMENT: "Such a great win for our group," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "JCU is ranked that way for a reason; they're phenomenal. But our guys scratched and clawed their way to a big three points. Credit to each and every one of our guys for investing and making a way."
NEXT UP: Calvin will face another nationally-ranked opponent next Wednesday when it journeys to No. 6 University of Chicago for a 5 p.m. (CST) match.