ADRIAN, Mich. – The 14
th-ranked Calvin men's soccer team secured a 1-0 victory at Adrian Wednesday afternoon to open its 2026 MIAA campaign on a winning note.
Senior
Matt Torrell (Rochester, N.Y. /The Charles Finney School )scored the only goal of the game, ripping in a shot just underneath the crossbar in the 24
th minute of play.
Calvin (9-1-1) had two goals waved off on off-side calls later in the first half and continued to pressure in the second half but could not dent the back of the net.
Torrell's winning tally began with a through-ball pass that led Torrell into the attacking third beyond the Adrian backline. His initial touch was deflected away by hard-charging Adrian goalkeeper Eli Sizemore who came well off his line to make the initial stop.
The deflected ball went right to the feet of Calvin junior
Colin Nieuwenhuis (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) who ripped a shot from 25 yards out that was blocked by an Adrian defender. The rebound came back to Nieuwenhuis who smartly sent a crossing pass to Torrell near the top of the 18-yard box. Torrell made no mistake with the opportunity, one-timing a shot into the upper right hand corner of the net, just under the crossbar for a one-goal lead.
Calvin appeared to have taken a 2-0 lead on a shot in close in the 32
nd minute but the Knights were whistled for offside. Calvin had another scoring play wiped off by offsides in the 41
st minute as junior
John Hargett (Powell, Oh./Olentangy HS) sent a booming goal kick over midfield. Senior
Hans Pruis (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) was able to redirect the long goal kick with a headed pass over the Adrian backline that sprang senior winger
Foster Garrett (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) in on goal. Garrett blasted a shot into the net but was subsequently whistled offside by a small margin to wipe away the goal.
Calvin outshot Adrian (4-5-1 overall, 0-1-0 MIAA) 10-1 in the in the second half but moved on to the 1-0 win.
Calvin held a 22-6 shots at goal advantage over the course of the 90 minutes. Hargett had one save while posting his fourth shutout victory of the season. Sizemore had a strong game for Adrian in goal, making nine saves.
COACHES COMMENT: "Really pleased to get 3 league points on the road," said Calvin head men's soccer coach
Ryan Souders. "Adrin is a really well-coached group and (Adrian's) Docking Stadium is a difficult road venue, for sure. Felt we did some really good things in moments and created great opportunities. But our defense on the day was key. Shutouts are really difficult, especially in league and on the road. A big credit to John (Hargett) and the back four today. Will be great to be home Saturday to honor and celebrate some of our seniors."
NEXT UP: Calvin will host Alma Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Calvin Soccer Stadium.
