Men's soccer team extends unbeaten streak to 11 with 2-0 win over Adrian

Russell ties single-season assists record

OLIVET, Mich. – The No. 8 Olivet College men's soccer team extended its unbeaten streak to 11 games with a 2-0 win Adrian College today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets have now won their last five games by shutout, including four straight against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opponents, and remain first-place in the MIAA with a perfect 5-0 record.

Olivet wasted no time taking a 1-0 lead, as junior Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) scored only four minutes into the game. Senior Cole Dehen (Kentwood/East Kentwood) had a long throw-in, where Smyser collected the ball at the top of 18 and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.

The Comets added to their lead in the 27th minute. Sophomore Esteban Russell (DeWitt) carried the ball down the left side of the field, and passed the ball to freshman Austin Dunn (Perry), who buried a shot with his left foot from about 16 yards out. The assist was the 10th for Russell this season, which ties him with Matt Wait for the most in a single-season in school history. Wait also had 10 assists during the 1998 season.

Olivet had plenty of chances to get another goal during the game, as it out-shot the Bulldogs, 30-4, with a 21-2 advantage in shots-on-goal. Russell led the way with 12 shots, including nine on-goal. Smyser finished with seven shots, five which were on-goal. Sophomore Alex Lang (West Bloomfield/Detroit Catholic Central) earned the shutout in goal, making two saves in 90 minutes.

The Comets, who have a 10-0-1 overall record, are back in action next Tuesday, Oct. 2, when they host Alma College at 4 p.m.