Calvin, Mich. - Beginning their 2024 campaign, reigning Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year Roshane Ellison and the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks women's soccer team traveled over to Calvin, Mich. to take on the Calvin University Knights in a non-conference match-up. Although the Hawks (0-1) out-shot the Knights (1-0) in the second half, they were unable to make up the halftime deficit, dropping their first contest of the season by a final score of 4-0.  

Calvin entered the game ranked 15th in the United Soccer Coaches Pre-Season Poll rankings for all DIII women's soccer. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Although the Hawks opened the match with two shots on target from Allison Murray and Eva Narvarte within the first two minutes, both shots would be saved by the Knights goalkeeper Kalex Dodge. In the 14th minute, Kayla Smith had an opportunity at goal but would have her shot blocked by the Knights defense.  

• In the 20th minute, a foul by the Hawks inside the 18-yard box awarded the Knights a penalty-kick in which Mia Judd converted to give the home team a 1-0 lead.  

• Five minutes later, the Knights found their second of the game. Sophie Mueller scored off an Olivia Rawls assist with a shot in the lower left corner. Mueller then found the back of the net again in the 37th minute with a shot into the lower right corner, this time off a Cecilia McCarthy and a Rawls assist.  

• The Hawks' only other shot of the half came in the 44th minute from Kaitlyn Walsh, who hit the ball low and center, ending in a save for the Knights.  

• With seconds left before halftime, the Knights picked up their fourth goal of the game. Lindsey Houtsma scored off a Nora Kucinski assist with a low shot to the center of the net.  

• Coming out of halftime trailing 4-0, the Hawks looked to turn the game around. Although they were able to rack up 7 shots compared to the Knights 4 in the second half, the Hawks never found the back of the net.  

• At the final whistle, the Hawks were defeated by the Knights 4-0.  

SCARLET HAWK STANDOUTS 

• Eva Narvarte – 3 shots, 1 shot on goal 

• Kayla Smith – 2 shots, 1 shot on goal 

• Allison Murray – 2 shots, 1 shot on goal 

• Caitie Chismarich – 2 shots  

KNIGHTS' STANDOUTS 

• Sophie Mueller – 2 goals, 3 shots, 2 shots on goal 

• Mia Judd – 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal 

• Lindsey Houtsma – 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal 

• Olivia Rawls – 2 assists, 1 shot 

• Nore Kucinski – 1 assist 

• Ceceilia McCarthy – 1 assist, 1 shot 

• Kalex Dodge – starting goalkeeper, 84 minutes played, 4 saves  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• Calvin out-shot Illinois Tech 13-11 with 6 shots on goal versus 5 

• The Knights made 5 saves while the Hawks made 2 

• The Hawks faced 13 shots while the Knights faced 11  

UP NEXT 

On September 5th, the Hawks will have their home opener of the 2024 season as they are set to host the Carroll University Pioneers on Stuart Field with a 7:00 PM kick-off.