CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
Men's Soccer Claims 2-0 Win Over Hope at Zuidema Field;
Justin Ahearne Steady Senior for Calvin Men's Soccer Defense;
Women's Golf Fourth at MIAA Jamboree - Retains Fourth Place in Overall
Standings;
Calvin Cross Country Teams Both Ranked in Top 10 National Rankings
MEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 2, Hope 0
(written by sports information student assistant Andrew Knot)
Calvin took a convincing, well-earned 2-0 victory from archrival Hope on
Wednesday afternoon.
The Knights and Dutch, each 1-0 in conference prior to the game, opened the
game aggressively and didn’t fail to generate excitement and scoring
opportunities. In the game’s early stages, senior Brad Heethuis got free on
the left wing but put a left-footed shot low and just wide of the far post.
Soon thereafter, freshman Dino Duratovic got behind the Dutch backline and put
another left-footed shot on net, but Hope’s keeper Logan Neil smothered it and
kept the Knights off the board.
In the 13th minute, the Hope attack made use of a Grant Neil throw-in to
threaten in front of the net. Neil’s throw got through to the far post, and
the Dutch attack put two shots off the post before the Knights were able to
clear the ball from danger.
Later, in the first half’s closing stages, sophomore Zach Willis took one of
his multiple blazing runs down the left wing and found classmate Mike Sanderson
entering the box. Sanderson one-timed the ball towards the near post with his
left instep, but Neil made another stellar save, deflecting the ball off frame
with his trailing foot. The game entered halftime scoreless.
Calvin got on the board early in the second half, when Duratovic carried a
ball into the box. Duratovic’s shot was blocked, but junior Chris Nance
charged into the box and blasted a strike off the crossbar and into the net to
put the Knights on top in the 50th minute.
“The first goal is crucial,” said Coach Chris Hughes. “After that, we were
just trying to wear them down.”
Hope would apply steady pressure from then on, but the Knights countered once
more in the 70th minute. Freshman Alec Goorhouse’s savvy volley set up Willis
in space. Willis cruised down the left flank, sending a cross past the lone
Hope defender and to the foot of Sanderson. This time, Sanderson redirected
the ball past an outstretched Neil to double the Knights’ lead.
Calvin was then able to stymie Hope’s attack. Junior Michael Dolan, who left
the game late, consistently came up big for the Knights.
“Any time you can keep the other team off the board, you’re doing something
right,” said Hughes.
The 2-0 lead held and Calvin advanced their record to 2-0 in the MIAA and
6-2-0 overall. Hope, who had swept the series last year, dropped to 1-1 in
conference and 4-2-2 overall.
The Knights travel to Kalamazoo on Saturday.
CHRIS HUGHES POST-GAME AUDIO INTERVIEW:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/audio/12/MensSoccer/ChrisHughesHopePostGame092111.mp3
MORE MEN'S SOCCER
(written by sports information student assistant Mark DeHaan)
A senior sweeper for the Knights, Justin Ahearne has been key to the Knights
strong start in the MIAA this season. A product of Hudsonville High School,
Ahearne is in his third year as a starter, but his first as sweeper. “He has a
lot of responsibility as our sweeper, but he is a player that can handle the
pressure,” said Head Coach Chris Hughes.
When asked about playing in a Calvin-Hope game, Ahearne said “it's nothing you
can imagine. The nerves before hand, the intensity, the excitement and the
atmosphere – it's crazy.” The Knights defense played extremely well against the
Dutchmen on Wednesday as it stopped Hope on a number of key opportunities,
sealing the shutout and aiding Calvin to a 2-0 win. “We played well and
withstood the pressure,” said Ahearne. “We were able to cover Hope's waves.
(goalkeeper Michael) Dolan really stepped up.”
The Knights, now 2-0 in conference, are hoping to continue their success in
the MIAA as they look for their fifth straight conference title. According to
Ahearne, however, the goals of the team are more than just winning. “We have to
keep growing. We have a lot of young guys contributing, and we just want to
keep fighting every game.”
A double major in business and psychology, with a focus on marketing and
social psychology, Ahearne has a few options after graduating. He is
considering either going to graduate school to get his masters in psychology,
which would most likely translate into a position as a school counselor, or
working at a small business in marketing.
“He has been through a lot. Early in his career he dealt with injury, but when
he became healthy, we put him at outside backer. We then moved him inside, and
now he is our sweeper. If he keeps the game simple, great things happen,” said
Hughes. “He is willing to do anything for the team, and I am very happy with
what he is doing.”
WOMEN'S GOLF
HOLLAND - The Calvin women's golf team continues to remain in fourth place in
the overall MIAA standings after finishing fourth at an MIAA Jamboree hosted by
Hope College Wednesday afternoon at the Ravines Golf Club.
The Knights fired a team score of 354 to finish 19 strokes ahead of fifth
place Adrian while finishing nine strokes behind third place Saint Mary's.
Olivet took first place on Wednesday at 323 with host Hope second at 340. Hope
leads the overall standings at 665 with Olivet second at 668, Saint Mary's
third at 687 and Calvin fourth at 702. Trine is fifth at 737. The top four
teams at the conclusion of the MIAA fall season will be eligible to compete for
the MIAA's automatic bid to the NCAA III Championships next spring when the
MIAA Tournament is held.
In Wednesday's competition, sophomore Carlia Canto (Marysville/Port Huron
Northern HS) tied for fourth place individually with a round of 84. Junior
Elise Doezema (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) was close behind with an
86 that was good for a tie for sixth place.
Rounding out Calvin's finishers were freshman Jackie Richert (Fort
Gratiot/Port Huron Northern HS) with a 92, junior Rachel Whitaker (Grand
Rapids/Forest Hills Northern HS) with a 96 and freshman Lauren Richert (Fort
Gratiot/Port Huron Northern HS) with a 97. Junior Nicole Black (Grand
Rapids/Kenowa Hills HS) competed as an individual on Wednesday and fired a
career-best score of 90.
Theresa Damico of Olivet was the tournament medalist with a round of 74.
Calvin returns to action on Saturday, competing at the Alma Invitational at
the Pine River Country Club.
MIAA JAMBOREE #2 TEAM SCORES
Olivet 323
Hope 340
Saint Mary's 345
Calvin 354
Adrian 373
Alma 380
Trine 380
Kalamazoo 383
Albion 384
MIAA WOMEN'S GOLF OVERALL STANDINGS THROUGH 9-21-11
Hope 665
Olivet 668
Saint Mary's 687
Calvin 702
Trine 737
Adrian 740
Alma 760
Albion 776
Kalamazoo 788
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The Calvin men's and women's cross country teams have both cracked the most
recent top 10 national rankings conducted by the United States Track and Field
Cross Country Coaches Association.
The Calvin men's team is ranked fourth in the men's Division III Top 25 poll,
up one spot from last week while the Calvin women are ranked ninth in the
women's poll, up six spots from a week ago.
Both Calvin teams will compete at an MIAA Jamboree on Saturday at Trine
University. The women's race will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the men's race to
follow at 11:15 a.m.
The complete set of Division III Top 25 rankings can be found online at:
http://www.ustfccca.org/assets/rankings/div3/2011-xc/Div3_XC_2011_Week2_National-Summary.pdf
Received on Wed Sep 21 22:46:27 2011
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