Men’s soccer team stays unbeaten in MIAA with 3-0 win over Alma

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's soccer team stayed unbeaten in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) with a 3-0 win over Alma College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The Comets, ranked No. 7 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, remain unbeaten this season with a 11-0-1 overall record, including perfect 6-0 MIAA record.

Olivet got on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute. On a long throw in by senior Cole Dehen (Kentwood/East Kentwood), junior Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) knocked the ball to sophomore John Leutzinger, who (Washington/Warren DeLaSalle) headed the ball into the center of the net for his first-ever collegiate goal.

The Comets added to their lead in the 32nd minute. An Alma player was called for a red card for denying Olivet's goal-scoring opportunity. As a result of the play, a penalty kick was awarded to Olivet, and Smyser converted the PK goal. The score stayed 2-0 at halftime. The Comets capped their scoring in the 70th minute. Off a free kick for Olivet, an Alma defender headed the ball into the goal.

For the game, 25 Olivet players saw playing time. The Comets out-shot the Scots, 20-9. Smyser led the way with four shot, followed by freshmen Matt Meldrum (Chesterfield Twp./Anchor Bay) and Michael Moscone (Washington Twp./Warren DeLaSalle) with three apiece. Sophomores Alex Lang (West Bloomfield/Detroit Catholic Central) and Matt Van Houten (Northville) combined for the shutout in goal. Lang made one save during the first half, and Van Houten had three in the second half.

The Comets will wrap-up the first half of its MIAA schedule Saturday when it travels to play Trine (Ind.) University at 8 p.m. The game is a part of a soccer doubleheader, as the Olivet women will play the Trine women before the men's game.