-- Story provided by Calvin University Athletics --
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Calvin women's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the year on Saturday, falling to host Carnegie Mellon 2-0 in a second round NCAA III Tournament match.
The Knights finish the year with an 18-1-1 overall record.
Eighth-ranked Carnegie Mellon (14-2-2) got on the board in the 13th minute of play, heading in a goal off a rebound after Calvin sophomore goalkeeper Kalex Dodge (Leslie, Mich./Leslie HS) punched out a corner that had been sent into the box. The rebound came Cecelia Dieterich who headed home the rebound to put the Tartans up 1-0.
Ranked ninth nationally, Calvin kept Carnegie Mellon from scoring again the rest of the half with the Tartans holding a 7-0 shots at goal advantage in the opening 45 minutes.
Carnegie Mellon struck for a second goal in the 54th minute with Alex Adams tapping home a crossing pass at the far post to put the Tartans up 2-0.
Calvin came close in the 57th minute off a corner kick with junior Rory Pruis (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) cranking a loose ball from outside the 18 that sailed just over the bar.
The second half was played on more even terms with Carnegie Mellon holding a slim 6-5 shots at goal advantage over the final 45 minutes of play.
Dodge finished with two saves in the match for the Knights.
It marked just the second time this year that Calvin has been shut out on the scoring end.
COACHES COMMENT: "Tough match for our team today," said Calvin head women's soccer coach Emily Ottenhoff after his second NCAA III Tournament appearance as a head coach. "Carnegie Mellon is one of the best teams in the country and they deserved the win. I was really pleased with the way we competed in the second half. A great next step of a season for our program. We've got some work to do in the off-season to put ourselves in a better position to compete at this level in the future. Having said that, I am so thankful for our senior class. This group has led our team well with servant hearts. We will miss having the around but are excited to see what good things they have ahead of them."
