ALBION, Mich. – Calvin used quick strike ability and clutch defensive play to defeat Albion 4-1 in the MIAA Tournament semifinals Wednesday night. The Knights (15-3-1) advance to the MIAA Tournament Championship final on Saturday where they will travel to rival Hope (11-5-2) for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Van Andel Stadium.

In its win over Albion (12-3-2), Calvin grabbed a 1-0 lead just 7:21 into the match as the Knights were awarded a free kick 35 yards out along the right wing. With an expert swing of his left foot, sophomore Jake Ziolo (Dublin, Oh./Dublin Jerome) skipped a ball into the 18-yard box. Sophomore Bennett Quijano (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) was able to get a touch on the ball and redirect the ball pass Albion goalkeeper Tom Veresh for the first score of the game.

Albion had a chance to level the match in the 13^th minute when sophomore Binck-Jan Bakker connected on a shot from in close that was headed to the back of the net but a Calvin defender slid in to clear the ball off the line. Just four minutes later, Albion was awarded a penalty kick when a Briton attacker was tripped up inside the right-hand side of the box. Calvin goalkeeper Zac Moore (Pilesgrove, NJ/Woodstown HS) responded with a diving save to his left to keep the ball out of the net while keeping the Knights in the lead.

Calvin then hit twice in quick succession in the closing minutes of the first half.

In the 30^th minute, a quick combination play ignited a Calvin counterattack. Senior Hans Pruis (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) broke free through the right wing off a lead pass. Pruis squared a pass back across the 18-yard box. Freshman Toby Simeone (Riverside, Australia/St. Patrick's College) made no mistake, blasting the set-up ball from Pruis into the top left corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead.

In the 33^rd minute, Pruis got loose on a breakaway and while deking Veresh for a clean shot at goal, Pruis was tackled to the ground. Veresh was given a yellow card and the Knights awarded a penalty kick. Junior Matt Torrell (Rochester, NY/The Charles Finney School) ripped home the spot kick for his 15^th goal of the season and the Knights led 3-0.

Calvin added an insurance goal five minutes into the second half as the Knights were awarded a free kick deep in the Albion end. Ziolo did his magic once again, slipping a free kick into the box that freshman Pol Sabe (Barcelona, Spain/Col-legi Montserrat) was able to rip into the net for a 4-0 lead.

Albion added a goal with 1:17 left as Jasek Zielaskowski slipped in a shot from the six-yard box off a smart feed from the wing by a teammate to close out the scoring.

Calvin finished the match with a 14-9 shots at goal advantage. Moore had one save while Veresh had three saves for Albion.

COACHES COMMENT: "Really proud of the group tonight," said Calvin head men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "Felt we did some really great things top to bottom to get the win. Albion is a really good side as they've proven all year and at our place two weeks ago (4-3 Albion win). But I thought our effort was really good for the majority of the match highlighted by some really great key moments. Obviously the save by Zac on the pen, and a couple of great goals stand out, but just a great effort from everyone. We're ecstatic to keep playing and look forward to Saturday."

NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to rival Hope on Saturday for the MIAA Tournament Championship final at 1 p.m. at Van Andel Stadium.