GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin picked up its second win in as many game, defeating 21
st-ranked North Central 3-0 Wednesday night at Calvin Soccer Stadium.
Calvin (3-1-1) used a late first half goal from junior
Jake Ziolo (Dublin, Oh./St. Jerome HS) and then used a pair of second half strikes to pull away for the win.
Ziolo nearly scored off a free kick in the seventh minute of play as he sent in a curling free kick that was stabbed away by North Central goalkeeper Vincent Stanislao.
A later set piece proved to be the ticket for Ziolo as he curled in a corner kick from the right wing with 2:45 left in the first half that sailed over the outstretched arms of Stanislao and into the net for a 1-0 Calvin advantage.
North Central (5-1-1) nearly leveled the match in the closing seconds of the half but a clean breakaway chance by Joseph Sargent of North Central went begging as he shot sailed into the side netting with just three seconds left in the half.
Calvin then got loose on a break of its own in the 67
th minute as freshman
Zach Heisler (Saline, Mich./Saline HS) sprung free behind the North Central backline on a counterattack. Heisler ripped a shot to the far post that was turned aside by Stanislao but Calvin senior
Hans Pruis (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) was able to corral the rebound near the end line and send back pass to an on-rushing
James Jackson (Cleves, Oh./Saint Xavier). The junior midfielder made no mistake on the opportunity, cranking a hard shot into the net for a 2-0 Calvin advantage.
Calvin picked up the clinching goal off another corner kick in the 75
th minute. Junior
Colin Nieuwenhuis (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) lofted a corner to the far post that was redirected back into the goalmouth by senior
Chase Alexandre (Brighton, NY/Brighton HS). Alexandre's serve was met with a tap-in shot by sophomore
Pol Sabe (Barcelona, Spain/Col-legi Montserrat) for the third and final goal of the game.
Calvin held a 19-12 shots at goal advantage. Junior goalkeeper
John Hargett (Powell, Oh./Olentangy HS) was credited with the clean sheet in goal, recording four saves for the Knights.
COACHES COMMENT: "Well, it wasn't always pretty but a great result tonight," said Calvin head men's soccer coach
Ryan Souders. "North Central College is a good team with some fantastic results. I thought our group defended particularly well and then were able to capitalize in some key moments. Certainly a lift from the home crowd tonight. There's no supporters like Knight Nation! We'll need to rest up and prepare for a solid Oberlin group on the weekend where we're excited to welcome back and celebrate so many CMS alums."
NEXT UP: Calvin will host Oberlin College on Saturday in a non-conference game at 2 p.m. at Calvin Soccer Stadium.
