GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin stretched its win streak to three with a 3-0 non-conference victory over Oberlin College Saturday afternoon at Calvin Soccer Stadium.
Calvin (4-1-1) scored all three of its goals in the first half and was never threatened by the visiting Yeoman in the second half as the Knights pushed on for the win.
The Knights started on the front foot from the outset and found the back of the net just 2:30 into the match as sophomore
Will Lanham (Commerce Twp., Mich./Pontiac Notre Dame Prep) slid a pass near the top of the of the 18-yard box to junior
Colin Nieuwenhuis (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS). With space to operate, Nieuwenhuis launched a low curling shot inside the post for a 1-0 lead and his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
In the 19
th minute, Lanham ignited another Calvin scoring attack, picking the pocket of an Oberlin defender after a soft pass from his goalkeeper made him vulnerable to a turnover. Lanham used the opportunity to steal the ball and slide a crossing pass over to senior
Chase Alexandre (Brighton, NY/Brighton HS) that Alexandre was able to tap into a wide-open net for a 2-0 advantage.
Calvin closed out the scoring in the 23
rd minute on a rush off the left wing by junior
Jake Ziolo (Dublin, Oh./Dublin Jerome HS). Ziolo squared a pass near the top of the six-yard box that senior
Matt Torrell (Rochester, N.Y./The Charles Finney School) collected and smartly deposited inside the near post for his fourth goal of the season.
Calvin continued to pressure in the second half and nearly scored in the 70
th minute as a bicycle kick by freshman Marshall Nuemann (Portage, Mich./Portage Central HS) was sent towards the top corner of the Oberlin net. Oberlin goalkeeper Lukas Verling made a strong save to parry the ball over the bar and prevent another goal.
Calvin finished with a 19-0 shots at goal advantage. Junior goalkeeper John Hartgett (Powell, Oh./Olentangy HS) collected his second consecutive clean sheet.
At halftime, Calvin celebrated the members of its 2016 team that finished as Division III National Runners-up. The group celebrated its 10-year reunion on Saturday at Calvin Soccer Stadium.
COACHES COMMENT: "Great result at home today!," said Calvin head men's soccer coach
Ryan Souders. "Thought we were fantastic on parts of the game against a really organized Oberlin squad. Defensively, I thought we were solid in each third and created some great attacking moments from that. Additionally, what a treat to welcome back so many alums of Calvin Soccer back to campus today. It is always so great to welcome then back home and to be able to celebrate them."
NEXT UP: Calvin will travel to Lawrence Tech next Wednesday for a 7 p.m. match.
