Men’s soccer team loses to Calvin, 3-0

In a battle for first-place in the MIAA standings, the Olivet College men’s soccer team fell to Calvin College, 3-0, today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. With the loss, the Comets drop into a tie with the Knights for first-place with 5-1 records. In addition, Olivet entered the game ranked No. 3 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Central Region poll, while Calvin was No. 5.

Box Score

Team Stats

Men’s soccer team loses to Calvin, 3-0
October 5, 2011

OLIVET, Mich. – In a battle for first-place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) standings, the Olivet College men's soccer team fell to Calvin College, 3-0, today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. With the loss, the Comets drop into a tie with the Knights for first-place with 5-1 records. In addition, Olivet entered the game ranked No. 3 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Central Region poll, while Calvin was No. 5.

Calvin took a 1-0 lead behind a goal by Nick Holtrop in the 33rd minute, and the score remained 1-0 at halftime. In the second half, the Knights scored twice in a span of four minutes to take a 3-0 lead. Olivet had two great opportunities to score when a header by freshman Judd Sikkema (Augusta/Gull Lake) sailed above the cross bar in the 68th minute and freshman Esteban Russell (DeWitt) pushed a shot just left of the net in the 85th minute.

The Comets finished the game with eight shots. Russell as well as sophomores David Bahling (Farmington) and Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) had two shots apiece. Freshman Alex Lang (West Bloomfield/Detroit Catholic Central) played the first 76 minutes and 18 seconds in goal. He faced 21 shots and made eight saves. Freshman Matt Van Houten (Northville) stopped all four of the shots he faced.

Olivet (9-2-1, 5-1 MIAA) will wrap-up the first half of its MIAA schedule Saturday when it travels to play Adrian College at 2:30 p.m.