CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR OCTOBER 8, 2008
Men’s Soccer Edges Hope in 1-0 Thriller at Zuidema Field;
Women’s Cross Country Team Ranked Number-One/Men’s Cross Country Team Ranked
Fifth
MEN’S SOCCER
Calvin 1, Hope 0
By Chaz Amidon
GRAND RAPIDS - A recipe for combustion, the league’s top offense collided with
the league’s top defense in Grand Rapids on Wednesday.
It wasn’t a shootout, nor was it a stalemate.
Instead, a resilient Calvin defense staved off No. 17 Hope and its lineup of
high-octane scorers, using junior Alex McKenzie’s goal in the 14th minute to
nab sole possession of first-place in the MIAA with a 1-0 win.
“It was the perfect ingredients for what you saw today – it was a battle,” said
senior Darrin Cline. “We leave it on the field for Hope.”
The Knights outshot their lakeshore rivals 18-14 in a contest that mirrored the
teams’ first meeting in 2007 – a 1-0 Calvin victory at Zuidema Field (on Sept.
22) that provided Coach Chris Hughes and his squad enough momentum to tear
through the rest of the MIAA season with an unbeaten league record of 12-0-1.
But Hope was the team with a streak at stake on Wednesday, bringing a 16-game
unbeaten mark (dating back to 2007) against the Knights, winners of their last
five.
“It’s a good win, the kids are smiling and that’s what it’s all about,” said
Hughes. “The boys came to play today.”
McKenzie, who was integrated into Calvin’s starting lineup this season, headed
a cross from senior Michael Holwerda past Dutchmen goalkeeper Andrew Goorhouse
just 13:18 into the first half.
Smothered by defenders, Holwerda’s pass whizzed over three Hope defenders and
found a cutting McKenzie, who directed the ball to the weak (right) side of the
net.
“I just put my hands straight up in the air,” said sophomore Lucas Wilgenburg
of the lone strike. “It’s a great feeling and you could see it on everyone’s
faces.”
Wilgenberg, senior sweeper Greg Snapper and sophomore Chad Hart anchored the
Knights’ backfield, which fended off several second-half attacks from a Hope
team controlled possession time after the break. They were the only Calvin
starters not to be subbed out.
Except for Cline. Fresh off claiming his second career Defensive Player of the
Week Award, the All-MIAA goalkeeper turned in a four-save outing that included
a pair of scintillating stops – a lunge to rob Ausable Schwiebert of goal in
the first (18:40), and a slide tackle to spoil a Nicco Lamb breakaway in the
second (63:30).
“That save he had in the first half, going up in the corner…I was teasing him
that sometimes he is a freak of nature,” said Hughes. “I don’t know how he can
stop some of the stuff that’s thrown at him, but he does it.”
Cline now has five shutouts this fall, just four less scoreless outings he
posted in 2007.
He has 43 saves in the Knights’ 11 games and had a 1.22 goals-against average
heading into Wednesday’s win.
“Cline had a slow start to the year but he’s all of a sudden found that
confidence again,” said Hughes.
Wednesday’s match-up, the 82nd all-time meeting between the two rivals,
buffered Calvin’s record in the series, upping their mark to 44-29-9 against
the Dutchmen.
Both teams have combined to win the past five MIAA Championships, with Calvin
claiming titles in 2004 and 2007, Hope in 2005 and 2006, and a shared crown
between the schools in 2003.
The last time Hope defeated the Knights at Zuidema field was in 2005 – a 2-1
loss in which all the scoring occurred in the opening half.
This time, the Knights found a way to neutralize a Hope squad that racked up 15
goals in its first three conference games, including a blistering 32 goals
throughout its opening 10 games.
“We had a great offense pushing us forward and helping us back on defense
today,” said Wilgenburg. “It makes it a lot easier.”
Calvin has allowed only two goals in its five MIAA contests, partly due to a
backfield comprised of two sophomores (Hart and Wilgenburg) and one senior
(Snapper).
“Our back line played well,” said Hughes. “Wilgenburg played out of his mind
today – he really dominated his side. Hart did a nice job, and, as always,
Snapper is just a stallion back there. They did what they needed to do to slow
down that offense.”
The Knights (8-3-0, 5-0-0) will now host Adrian on Saturday (2:00 p.m.) before
embarking on a two-game road trip to Trine and Albion.
MIAA MEN’S SOCCER STANDINGS THROUGH 10-8-08
Calvin 5-0-0
Hope 4-1-0
Trine 4-1-0
Albion 3-2-0
Adrian 1-4-0
Alma 1-4-0
Kalamazoo 1-4-0
Olivet 1-4-0
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
For the third consecutive week, the Calvin women’s cross country team is the
top-ranked team in Division III. The Knights are ranked number-one in this
week’s poll released by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country
Coaches Association.
Calvin received all eight first place votes in this week’s poll with
Wisconsin-Eau Claire ranked second, Wartburg third and Williams fourth.
On the men’s side, Calvin is ranked fifth in this week’s poll, down four spots
from last week’s poll when the Knights were ranked number-two. Cortland State
of New York remains the top-ranked team on the men’s side. The Red Dragons
received all eight first place votes in this week’s poll. North Central is
ranked second, Wisconsin-LaCrosse third and Wisconsin-Stevens Point fourth.
Both Calvin cross country teams return to action on Friday when they compete at
the Michigan Intercollegiates hosted by Detroit-Mercy At Kensington Park in
Milford.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Wed Oct 8 22:38:38 2008
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