Calvin recap | Photos | Box score
The Calvin College men's soccer team was thwarted in their attempt for their first-ever NCAA Championship in men's soccer Dec. 1 in a 2-1 setback to Tufts Saturday afternoon in the championship game of the 2018 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship, held at UNC Greensboro.
Tufts (18-0-3) got on the board in the 2nd minute of play and added a second tally in the 30th minute to put the Jumbos up 2-0 at the break. Calvin (22-2-0) gained one goal back when Hunter Olson scored in the 50th minute, but Calvin was held in check the rest of the game.
It was Calvin's fourth-ever appearance in the championship game and second in three seasons; the Knights lost 1-0 in overtime to Tufts in the 2016 Championship game.
Calvin's Trent Vegter, Hunter Olson, and Ian Adams were named to the NCAA Divisoin III Finals All-Tournament team.
The Knights earned their appearance in the National Championship game after a convincing 4-1 win over Chicago Nov. 30 to avenge Calvin's lone loss of the regular season. In that contest, four Calvin players found the back of the net, starting with Bobby McCaw's strike in the 28th minut. Teammate Ian Adams was quick to follow in the 30th minute, but Chicago (18-3-1) answered just 28 seconds later to make it a 2-1 game.
Hunter Olson put the Knights up 3-1 at the break with a goal in the 44th minute, while Dillon Weldy scored the game's final goal in the 66th minute.
2018 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship links
NCAA Division III Men's Soccer page
2018 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer bracket announcement
2018 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer interactive bracket
2018 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer bracket (pdf)
Calvin
NCAA Championship announcement
