Men’s soccer team slips past Alma, 1-0, for sixth straight win

OLIVET, Mich. – Junior Zach Schulz (Farmington) scored a second-half goal, as the Olivet College men's soccer team slipped past Alma College, 1-0, in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. With the win, the Comets have now won six straight games and combined with Hope's 2-0 loss to Trine, they moved into a tie for second-place in the league standings with the Flying Dutchmen.

OIivet had several chances to score in the first half, with two shots from inside the 6-yard box hitting the far post. The Comets kept the offensive pressure in the second half and were rewarded with a goal at the 63:42 mark.

Senior Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) took a shot, which was stopped by the Alma keeper. Schulz gathered the rebound and buried his shot to the middle of the net. The Scots generated a couple scoring chances, but Olivet's back line prevented them from getting a clean look at the net.

Alma had a 16-13 advantage in total shots, but the Comets did a better job at placing their shots on net, with a 5-2 edge. Smyser led the way with four shots, while Schulz and junior Jared Wilson-Santos (Lansing/Everett) each took three. Junior Alex Lang (West Bloomfield/Detroit Catholic Central) earned the shutout win in goal, making two saves.

Olivet plays at MIAA leader Calvin College Saturday afternoon, starting at 2:30 p.m. The Knights enter the game with a 8-2 league record, one game ahead of the Comets and Dutchmen.