The Calvin men’s soccer team is currently ranked No. 1 after this week’s poll, and for the second time in their history, they have received the top spot in the Division III Top 25 poll created by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
The Knights are also the first team in MIAA league history to have back-to-back undefeated conference seasons. The team ended their regular season winning 18 games, losing none and tying one.
In addition to their ranking, Calvin held the top seed heading into the MIAA tournament. The Knights played Albion College and Hope College at Zuidema Field for both games.
In the first game of the MIAA tournament the Knights defeated Albion. Within the first 10 minutes of the first half senior Sam Hanover put the Knights on the board 1-0 and just a minute later, junior Stephan Hooker scored. Both were assisted by senior Taylor Pruis. Hooker would score again in the first half putting the Knights ahead 3-0.
The Knights would not score again until the second half when sophomore Mitch Stark snuck one in; Hooker had the assist. Stark would score again during the second half and Hanover scored twice during the second half allowing the team to shutout Albion 7-0.
Winning the first game in the tournament allowed Calvin to move onto the semifinal game against Hope, which was played this past Wednesday.
During the first half of the game against Hope neither team scored, though both teams had opportunities to score. There were three yellow cards thrown in this rivalry game, two thrown at Hope and one thrown at senior Nick Groenewold. Calvin and Hope accumulated 19 fouls throughout the game; Calvin collected 14 as a team.
In the second half Pruis was the first to score for the Knights putting them ahead of Hope 1-0. Within two minutes of Pruis’ goal, junior Isky Van Doorne scored off of a pass into the box from junior David Waterson. Stark scored the final goal, assisted by Groenewold, in the semifinal game, leading to a 3-0 win.
The Knights will play Alma College game this Saturday at noon. The winner of the MIAA tournament will have an automatic bid into the 2015 NCAA Championships.
