The men’s soccer team faced up against Olivet last Wednesday in their conference opener. The Knights and Comets battled for the win the entire game, going back-and-forth with goals, but ended with a 6-5 score in the Comets’ favor.

The Knights were the first to find the back of the net off a header by senior Nick Holtrop who received the cross from junior Zach Willis at the 6:22 mark. Calvin quickly struck again just four minutes later with a goal by sophomore Travis Vegter after a header by Willis — Vegter broke through the defense to receive the header and then tapped the ball past the keeper.

Holtrop scored again, 15 minutes later, off a throw in by sophomore Reed Bowden, and then took a 4-0 lead off a shot by sophomore Sean Broekhuizen from 35 yards out; blocked by the keeper but recovered by freshman Taylor Pruis for a goal.

Olivet scored at the 43:30 mark towards the end of the first half, giving them the momentum they needed to score the next five goals.

Holtrop scored his third goal to complete his hat-trick, but the Knights did not have enough in them to mount a comeback.

On Friday, the men’s soccer team headed to Wheaton to face Coach Ryan Souder’s alma mater. Souders was the starting goalie on Wheaton’s 2006 national runner-up team.

Wheaton struck first with two first half goals. In the 62nd minute, a Wheaton attack scored their third goal from distance.

Calvin’s Pruis put the Knights on the board with a shot from inside the box with 7:37 left in the game. Broekhuizen was credited with the assist.  Wheaton won the match 3-1. Wheaton outshot Calvin 23-10. Calvin’s senior goalkeeper Jared Rushlau had five saves.

The Knights host Albion on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. on Zuidema Field.