BOXSCORE

Wheaton, Ill. – The #18-ranked Wheaton men's soccer team was unable to overcome opportunistic goals by Calvin College on Friday night in a 3-2 loss to the Knights at Wheaton's Joe Bean Stadium. Calvin, ranked number-one in this week's NSCAA Division III Coaches Poll, improves to 3-0 on the year. Wheaton is now 2-1 and will host Hope College at Joe Bean Stadium on Friday night at 7 PM.

Wheaton looked strong early in an energetic first half in front of raucous crowd. However, it was Calvin that struck first on the scoreboard with a Kurt Van Sickel goal that was assisted by bullet pass from Justin Ahearne 30:31 into the match. Less than two minutes before the halftime intermission, Calvin's Zach Willis registered a goal to give the guests a 2-0 advantage that they would take into halftime.

Wheaton struck early in the second half when junior Kolt Martin scored on a Stephen Mesko assist to cut Calvin's lead to 2-1 at the 48:12 mark of the match. Calvin struck again at the 61:37 mark of the match when Kyle Billin scored on a Tyler Vegter assist to extend its lead to 3-1. Wheaton trimmed the Kinghts' lead to one goal at the 68:10 mark of the match when junior Drew Golz registered his second goal of the year in front of the net off of a Cory Weaver assist. Wheaton was unable to register the necessary third goal to tie the game as Calvin emerged with the victory.

Calvin out-shot the Thunder 13-10 on the night, with an 8-5 edge in the second half and the Knights held an 8-3 edge in corner kicks.