The Calvin College men's soccer team (21-0-1) posted two shutout victories last weekend to advance to the regional semifinal round of the 2017 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
The Knights opened their NCAA Championship with a 4-0 win over Thomas More Nov. 10, as a two-goal, one-assist effort by Jacob Witte ignited Calvin offensively. Witte assisted on what proved to be the game-winning goal by Bobby McCaw in the 12th minute and added insurance strikes in the 48th and 53rd minutes. Nate Van Ryn tallied two of Calvin's three saves in the shutout.
The following night against host John Carroll Nov. 11, Calvin's relentless play paid off owith goals in the 86th and 90th minutes to eliminate #20-ranked John Carroll, 2-0, and advance to the round of 16 for the third consecutive year. Matt Hinds' rebound off a shot by Dillon Weldy that hit the far post put Calvin on the board with just over four minutes left in regulation. Then, with John Carroll pressing resulting in four shots by the Blue Streaks, Calvin countered in the 90th minute when Mitch Stark connected with Weldy to seal the contest.
Calvin advances to take on the University of Chicago - one of only two other teams besides top-ranked Calvin to be the No. 1 ranked team nationally by the United Soccer Coaches this year - Friday, Nov. 17 in the NCAA Regional Semifinal round with a game time to be determined.
Tournament links
NCAA Division III Men's Soccer page
2017 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer bracket announcement
2017 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer interactive bracket
