Box Score Senior Toby Blom of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS), scored his first career goal for the Hope College men's soccer team in a 5-1 loss to unbeaten Calvin on Wednesday at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.
Blom recorded an unassisted goal in the 68th minute. It was just the second goal the third-ranked Knights had allowed in nine MIAA games this season.
The Flying Dutchmen are now 5-8-1 on the season and 2-6-1 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play after losing the 99th game in a rivalry that dates back to the 1965 season.
Despite the loss, Hope is just one game out of fourth place in the MIAA standings with five league matches remaining.
Calvin improved to 13-0-1 overall and 9-0 in league matches by scoring the most goals at Van Andel Stadium by a Hope opponent. It also matches the highest goal total by Calvin in a men's soccer match against the Flying Dutchmen.
The Knights took control early with two first-half goals.
Hope coach Steven Smith told The Holland Sentinel his team ran up against a very nice, mature third-ranked team in the country who can significantly score.
"They had five shots on goal, we had five shots on goal," Smith said. "Every one of their shots went in. You can't win a game when you let that happen."
Hope returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 17 when the Flying Dutchmen host Adrian. Kickoff is 4:30 p.m. at Van Andel Soccer Stadium for the Purple Games fundraiser for Van Andel Institute.
