-- Story provided by Calvin University Athletics --
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Calvin University women's soccer team opened its 2023 NCAA Division III Tournament with a 3-0 win over Spalding University (Ky.) at Zuidema Field on Friday.
The Knights dominated the stat sheet throughout the contest, but the two teams remained knotted up at 0-0 at the half.
Spalding (9-7-3) had the first chance of the second half, but a strong save from Kalex Dodge (Leslie, Mich./Leslie) against Faith Rutherford in the box kept the game scoreless.
Calvin (15-1-3) would take control shortly after, as Liz Williams (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) made a nice move outside the box and found an open Sophie Mueller (North Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon) racing down the right side in the box and kicked it to the far side past the Spalding keeper to get the Knights on the board in the 53rd minute.
The Knights continued to press in the next several minutes and once again found the back of the net as Kaitlyn Van Laare (Toronto, Ont./Toronto District Christian) dribbled in from the left side of the box scored unassisted in the 56th minute to push the advantage to 2-0.
Calvin finished the scoring in the 82nd minute when Lindsey Houtsma (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian) found open space off a deflection in the box and added one final insurance tally.
Mueller was a tough cover for the Golden Eagles throughout the game on the right wing, recording a match-high four shots that included two shots on goal. Van Laare and Houtsma each added three shots.
The Calvin defense was solid throughout and held Spalding to only three shots, with Dodge stopping all three for her 10th clean sheet of the season.
COACH'S COMMENT: "I thought we came out a little slow," Calvin head coach Emily Ottenhoff said. "They came out with more bite than we did and we struggled to connect passes. We challenged our group at halftime to be a little bit more assertive and on the front foot and be opportunistic. I thought we came out in the second half and found a couple goal-scoring opportunities right in the first few minutes and then finally broke through. Much better in the second half. Much better energy. Much better movement of the ball from us, so really pleased with that part of it."
