GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Calvin men's soccer team (21-2-0) buckled down after trailing early in Friday night's NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament Third Round, as the Knights bounced previously unbeaten and No. 4 ranked Messiah on the Falcons' home field with a 2-1 double-overtime victory.
Messiah (19-1-3) scored in the game's eighth minute, as the Falcons held the 1-0 lead into the intermission thanks to a 13-1 shots advantage for the first 45 minutes. But Calvin knotted the contest in the 65th minute on Bobby McCaw's 15th goal of the season. As Calvin's defense held the host Falcons to just five shots for the second half and two overtime periods, the Knights picked up their attack with 12 shots over the game's final three periods.
Neither team could tally a goal in the remainder of regulation and went scoreless in the first 10-minute overtime session. Less than three minutes away from penalty kicks to decide the prevailing team, Calvin's Jacob Witte shook the nets on an assist from Stephan Hooker to push the Knights onto the NCAA quarterfinals.
Calvin will take on the winner of No. 6 SUNY Cortland and No. 14 Franklin & Marshall Saturday at 5 p.m. Saturday's contest winner will advance to the NCAA Semifinals Friday, Dec. 2 in Salem, Va.
Tournament links
NCAA Division III Men's Soccer page
