Men’s soccer team scores early and late to beat Trine (Ind.), 2-1

ANGOLA, Ind. – The No. 7 Olivet College men's soccer team defeated Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Trine (Ind.) University rival, 2-1, tonight at Fred Zollner Stadium in Angola, Ind. With the win, Olivet extends its winning streak to 11 games and stays unbeaten this season with a 12-0-1 overall record, including 7-0 mark against MIAA schools.

The Comets scored only 41 seconds into the game when sophomore Billyle Alman (Lansing/Okemos) found the back of the net on a shot from inside the 6-yard box. The goal was the first collegiate one for Alman. The Thunder tied the game at the 19:21 mark. That was the first goal allowed by Olivet in 590 minutes and 40 seconds of game time. The score stayed 1-1 at the break.

After a battle through the first 28 minute and 48 seconds of the second half, sophomore Jon Puente (Kalamazoo/Galesburg Augusta) scored the go-ahead goal for the Comets. Olivet had to survive one last header by Andre Hillson that went wide left of the net with 36 seconds remaining in the game.

The Comets had a +2 advantage in shots, 12-10. Junior Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) led them with three shots. Sophomore Alex Lang (West Bloomfield/Detroit Catholic Central) played the entire game in goal.

Olivet begins the second half of its league schedule Wednesday when it travels to play Calvin College at 4 p.m. In the first meeting this season, the Comets rallied from a 4-0 deficit to beat the Knights, 6-5.