The Calvin College men's soccer team added two more postseason wins to their impressive 2018 campaign last weekend to advance to the National Semifinals of the 2018 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship.
Following the wins, Calvin (21-1-0) will now take on Chicago - the lone team to defeat the Knights this season - Friday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. at the UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, N.C. The winner of Calvin/Chicago will face either Tufts or Rochester (N.Y.) in the National Championship Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m.
This season's trip to the National Semifinals marks the third time in four years Calvin is part of the final four teams. The Knights' best finish has been three National Runners-Up finishes in 2009, 2011, and 2016.
Calvin secured their return trip to the National Semifinals with a 3-1 come-from-behind win over host Case Western Reserve Nov. 17. After Case took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute, Calvin tallied the critical equalizer in the 44th minute on a penalty kick by Jacob Witte. In the second half, both teams traded shots before Hunter Olson put the Knights in the lead in the 64th minute on an assist from Witte. Calvin's Lucas Albrecht added an insurance tally in the 81st minute.
The Knights put together a strong team effort in the Third Round, defeating Penn State-Behrend Nov. 16, 4-1. All four goals came from different Calvin players, starting in the 48th minute with Olson's shot that was re-directed by a defender. While Penn-State Behrend answerd in the 62nd minute, Calvin raced past the Nittany Lions with goals in the 72d, 73rd, and 79th minutes by Dillon Weldy, Albrecht, and Shaeffer Smith, respectively.
Calvin goalkeeper Chris Morrish made three saves in both contests.
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
