ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's soccer team suffered a 4-1 defeat in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opener on Tuesday afternoon to the nationally-ranked Calvin University Knights.
Calvin, ranked 24th in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches (USC) heading into the match, moves to 8-2-1 overall in 2023, while Trine drops their first league game and falls to 2-5-2.
The Knights attacked early and often in the match and had multiple opportunities to score in the first quarter of the match. This span included a shot off the crossbar in the 22nd minute of play. Calvin broke the scoreless tie with a score in the 29th minute on a cross through the teeth of the defensive line to the left side of the box.
That tally would remain as the break for halftime. The Knights outshot the Thunder 7-1 in the first 45 minutes, with the only attempt from Trine coming from freshman Ben Borak immediately following the goal.
Junior Luke Kearns had a shot to tie the game in the opening minute of the second half, but missed the mark high. Calvin added on to their lead with a pair of goals coming from set pieces in the 52nd minute and 64th minute, but not without senior Francesco Mazzei getting an opportunity of his own in between. A foul just outside the box put him in position to take a shot that was blocked and Kearns could not convert the rebound attempt.
The Knights extended their lead to 4-0 with a penalty kick goal in the 65th minute, but the Trine attackers kept the pressure on the visiting defense to continue to make plays. Senior Joey Donovan forced the keeper to make a save in the 70th minute and a foul on sophomore Evan Komrska inside the scoring area put junior Liam Zimmerman in position to convert a penalty kick of his own to get to the 4-1 final score.
In net, senior Aidan McGonagle made three saves in the loss (2-3-1).
Conference play continues for men's soccer on Saturday, October 7 at Kalamazoo College. Kick-off is slated for 5 p.m.