Albion women's soccer scare 1st place Calvin
By Robb Smith
Staff Writer

After winning five out of the last six games and securing the second place slot in MIAA standings, the women's soccer team went into Saturday's game against nationally-ranked Calvin College hoping to be spoilsports.

Coming off wins against league rivals Adrian, Alma, Olivet and Hope, Albion carried its 7-3 league record into the game and looked to shock the visiting Calvin.

But the task almost seemed impossible, knowing Calvin had only given up five goals all season. The Knights, leading the league and ranked 13th in the nation, proved to be too much for the lady Brits.

Despite strong offensive and defensive play in the second half, the Brits couldn't overcome the 3-1 deficit incurred in the first half.

Both teams came out in the second half with a flurry of scoring chances.

Albion started the attack by immediately passing the ball directly in front of the goalie, only to have the ball cleared out by a Calvin player.

Calvin then followed with two missed shots. Calvin's first scoring threat was stopped by Albion's goalkeeper, Heather Cerovski, Kalamazoo sophomore.

Making an incredible leaping save, Cerovski got just enough of the ball to send it bouncing off the top bar and back into play. Calvin wasn't able to get a rebound shot.

Two more Calvin misses were followed by another shot which hit the goal. Slicing through Albion's defense, a Calvin player fired a shot to the right of Cerovski and off the post.

Led by the strong offensive play of Christine Cleland, East Lansing senior, Tonya Taylor, Williamston senior, and Rebecca Mann, Traverse City sophomore, Albion never let Calvin get comfortable with its lead.

Albion continued to put more offensive pressure on Calvin, but the Knights' stingy defense didn't allow another Albion goal.

The Brits found themselves on the defensive for most of the first half. Calvin rarely let the ball out of its offensive zone and kept constant pressure on Cerovski.

Calvin opened the scoring with a pair of header shots both on the receiving end of perfect passes out of the corner.

With a 2-0 lead, Calvin fouled Taylor in the penalty box and Albion was rewarded with a penalty kick. Cleland was selected for the kick and she kicked a low shot to the left corner that cleared the outstretched hands of Calvin's goalkeeper.

The goal narrowed Calvin's lead to 2-1.

It didn't take Calvin long to respond with another goal, giving the Knights the two-goal advantage they held until the game's conclusion.

Although Albion tried to increase its offensive pressure in the second half, Calvin stiffened its defense against the Brits and secured another MIAA victory.

The loss put Albion at 11-5 overall and 7-4 in the MIAA. Albion hosts Northwood at noon tomorrow to close out the season.