-- Story provided by Calvin University Athletics --
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The 17th-ranked Calvin women's soccer team claimed its first regional title since 2015, defeating MSOE 1-0 Saturday night in a second round NCAA III Tournament game at Zuidema Field.
Calvin (16-1-3) advances to the Round of 16 for the fourth time in school history, joining its trips in 2006, 2009 and 2015. The Knights will find out their tournament destination on Sunday night when the NCAA bracket and host sites for the sectional rounds are announced.
Calvin's win over MSOE on Saturday marked its third tournament win over the Raiders without a defeat. The Knights are now 4-2-0 in NCAA III Tournament play under current head coach Emily Ottenhoff who was a member of Calvin's 2006 and 2009 teams that reached the national quarterfinals.
Sophomore Lucy Iverson (Naperville, Il./Naperville North HS) scored the only goal of the game on Saturday night, heading in a corner kick from senior teammate Liz Williams (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) just eight minutes into the match. The goal was the fourth of the year for Iverson with Williams drawing her team-leading 13th assist of the season on the play.
Calvin threatened on several other occasions but also had to withstand a handful of nervy moments from the MSOE attack. MSOE's best scoring chance came in the 53rd minute on a goal-mouth scramble that required the Knights to clear the ball of the backline. Iverson also had a second half chance that nearly resulted in a second goal of the game while a knuckling blast by Calvin sophomore Mia Brown (Norton Shores, Mich./Mona Shores HS) in the 76th minute was deflected just wide of the far post on sprawling save by MSOE keeper Reagan Tompkins.
Calvin's defense kept MSOE without a chance on goal inside the final 10 minutes to help cement the 1-0 victory.
Junior Kalex Dodge (Jackson, Mich./Leslie HS) went the distance for Calvin and got the shutout win, making four saves in the match.
Calvin finished with a 19-11 shots at goal advantage.
COACHES COMMENT: "Glad we found a goal early in the game," said Calvin head women's soccer coach Emily Ottenhoff. "That allowed us to play a little bit more free. In the second half, MSOE put a little bit more press on us and we managed. I thought our team competed hard for each other. We are excited for our team and for our senior class who have worked really hard to get to this point."
