CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 23, 2009
Men's Soccer Shuts Out Alma;
Women's Golf Fifth at MIAA Jamboree - Fires Second Best Team Score in School
History;
Women's Cross Country Ranked Second/Men's Cross Country Ranked Seventh
MEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 2, Alma 0
By Calvin Sports Information Student Assistant Andrew Knot
In its first MIAA game of the year, Calvin recorded a 2-0 victory over Alma
Wednesday at Calvin’s Zuidema Field.
With the shutout of the Scots, Calvin exhibited a potent offense, anchored by
a poised defense, with a versatile midfield mediating the two.
After controlling possession and scoring opportunities early, the Knights
finally capitalized with ten minutes remaining in the first half. Junior Kurt
Van Sickel hammered a spectacular shot from 35 yards out on the left wing into
the upper-right side netting. Van Sickel’s goal marked the fifth of the year
for him. Calvin continued to control possession for the remainder of the half.
Sophomore goalie Jared Rushlau aided that cause, robbing Alma striker Santi
Lopez just minutes after Calvin took the lead.
“Our team defense is good. We have a good, mature back line. They are
smart and hard-working. The midfield and the strikers are also doing their
jobs,” said Coach Chris Hughes. The Knights have posted three straight clean
sheets, and have only allowed two goals through seven games this season.
The defense continued that pace throughout the second half. Conceding only
six shots and two genuine scoring opportunities, the stifled any Alma hopes for
an equalizer.
Then with less than four minutes remaining in the game, 6’6” freshman Joe
Broekhuizen utilized his long strides and a terrific through ball from roommate
Nick Holtrop to break free on the left flank, getting around the Scots defense
and burying a low, driven ball past Alma keeper Jon Nowak.
Calvin finished the game with a 25-6 shots at goal advantage with Rushlau
recording two saves in nets for his fourth shutout victory of the year.
Hughes said of the game, “It’s a good way to start the season. Our strong
non-conference opponents prepare us for the MIAA. We just have to continue to
find a way to pick up three points game in each game.”
Calvin returns to action on Friday when it travels to Adrian for a 7:00 p.m.
match at Adrian’s Performance Stadium.
*For a short feature story on Kurt Van Sickel, please visit the Calvin Web
site at:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/news/comments/van-sickel-providing-punch-off-the-bench-for-calvin-mens-soccer-team/
WOMEN'S GOLF
HOLLAND -- The Calvin women's golf team produced a sterling effort on
Wednesday at an MIAA Jamboree hosted by Hope at the Macatawa Legends Golf Club,
placing fifth with a team score of 362 strokes. The score is the second-best in
Calvin women's golf history at an MIAA competition, surpassed only by a round
of 356 recorded by Calvin's 2004 team at a league outing hosted by Trine
University at the Zollner Golf Club.
In Wednesday's outing, all five of Calvin's golfers fired sub-100 rounds led
by senior Emily Tuuk (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) with a score of
85.
Senior Kelli Visser (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) also had a
season-best effort in firing a score of 90 while freshman Elise Doezema (Grand
Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) had a score of 93. Close behind were senior
Julienne Louters (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) with a 94 and senior
Rachel Strikwerda (Holland/Holland Christian HS) with 97.
The performance by the Calvin women's golf team moved the Knights past
Kalamazoo and into sixth place in the overall team standings. The Knights are
also just seven strokes back of fifth place Albion.
Olivet took first place at Wednesday's competition with a course record score
of 318. Megan Rimmel of Olivet was the tournament medalist with a round of 75.
Calvin returns to action on October 1 when it competes at an MIAA Jamboree
hosted by Kalamazoo at the Milham Park Golf Club at 1:00 p.m.
MIAA Jamboree #2 Team Scores (at Macatawa Legends Golf Club)
Olivet 318
Saint Mary's 322
Hope 335
Trine 361
Calvin 362
Alma 370
Albion 373
Kalamazoo 389
Adrian 408
OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS
Saint Mary's 639
Olivet 650
Hope 676
Trine 715
Albion 744
Calvin 751
Kalamazoo 766
Alma 774
Adrian 820
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The Calvin men's and women's cross country teams continue to hold high
national rankings as the women's team is ranked second in the latest Division
III Top 35 poll released by the United States Track and Field Cross Country
Coaches Association while the Calvin men's team is ranked seventh.
Defending national champion Middlebury (VT) remains the top-ranked team on the
women's side, holding the top spot after winning its own Panther Invitational
last Saturday with only 18 seconds seperating its top eight runners, en route
to a perfect score of 15 points.
Calvin took first place at its own Knight Invitational this past Saturday with
a team score of 28 points.
On the men's side, Calvin took second place at its own Knight Invitational on
Saturday with 83 points. North Central (IL) is the top-ranked team in the men's
poll.
Both Calvin teams return to action on Saturday, competing at an MIAA Jamboree
hosted by Hope College at 11:00 a.m. at the Ridge Point Community Church in
Holland.
Division III Women's Top 35 Poll:
http://www.ustfccca.org/assets/rankings/div3/2009-xc/09-d3-wxc-national-week2.pdf
Division III Men's Top 35 Poll:
http://www.ustfccca.org/assets/rankings/div3/2009-xc/09-d3-mxc-national-week2.pdf
Received on Wed Sep 23 23:08:10 2009
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