GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin opened its 2026 campaign on a winning note, defeating the Comets of Capital University 11-8 Saturday afternoon at Calvin Soccer Stadium.

Saturday's game marked the season opener for both teams.

Calvin led 4-0 after one quarter of play and 5-2 at halftime before trading goals with the Comets in the second half.

Senior David Blackmon (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North H) notched a hat trick with three goals and an assist while sophomore Colin TeBrake (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview HS) pumped in a pair of goals to lead the Calvin attack. Two of Blackmon's goals came in the first quarter when the Knights raced out to a 4-0 lead.

Calvin grabbed a 7-3 lead late in the third quarter on a nifty shot from the right wing by TeBrake that surprised the Capital goalie.

The Comets maintained contact throughout the fourth quarter however, closing to within two at 7-5 before the Knights answered with a goal from junior Riley DeSarbo (Monroe, Mich./St. Mary's Catholic Central HS) with 10:55 left to play.

Junior Jordan Warners (Orange, Cali./Crean Lutheran HS) then rifled in a shot from the point to give Calvin a 9-6 advantage. The Knights later received a man-up goal from junior Teddy Hollebeek to lead 10-6 with 4:49 to play.

Capital scored twice in the final two minutes but Calvin freshman Braylon Moore (Rockford, Mich./Rockford HS) was able to slip in a shot with 1:14 left to keep the Comets at bay.

Moore finished the game with a goal, an assist and a ground ball for the Knights. Freshman Hudson Thiemann (Plano, Tx./Plano Senior) had a goal and two assists while Warners had a goal and a game-high four assists. Sophomore Anson Gorski (Livonia, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's) also had a goal.

Junior Drew Garrison (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne HS) scooped up five ground balls and caused three opponent turnovers. Senior Nate Hanson (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS) won nine faceoffs, collected four ground balls and caused one turnover. Junior Jackson Engbers (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) had four ground balls. Senior Braden Carpenter (Noblesville, Ind./Noblesville HS) had three ground balls and caused one turnover. DeSarbo also had three ground balls.

Senior Soren Thiemann (Plano, Tx./Plano Senior) got the start and the win in goal for the Knights, posting nine saves.

COACHES COMMENT: "I was really proud of our effort today," said Calvin head men's lacrosse coach Dave Hoger. "We had a lot of young guys playing a lot of minutes today and I was really impressed with their pose alongside our more experienced guys. I told our team all week we ha to have a next play mentality, and we did just that. Capital went on a couple of runs and we were able to respond and stick together. Hats off to Capital on a great game. They are well coached and I have a lot of respect for how they competed. We will use this game to keep getting better as the season progresses. We're already excited for next week."

NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to Illinois Institute of Technology next Saturday for a 1 p.m. (CT) contest on the south side of Chicago.