SMC Soccer: Belles stay close to Knights, look to Calvin
By: CHRIS FEDERICO
Sports Editor
On the heels of a solid 6-0 victory over Olivet College, the Belles soccer team hoped to avenge a pair of one-handed defeats to Kalamazoo College from last season in which the Belles were outscored 17-1 in the two contests.
The Hornets had different plans, however, and downed the Belles 3-1 on Wednesday.
"We played alright in the match, but we could have played much better," Belles forward Jen Concannon said. "It was a big difference from the two games they beat us in last year, however."
The sophomore Concannon scored the lone goal for Saint Mary's, pushing her team-leading total for goals to five on the season.
The teams entered the game in the middle of the pack of the MIAA standings, hoping to move near the top. With the victory, Kalamazoo improves to 3-2 in conference play, and is in a tie for third place with Albion.
Saint Mary's fell to 2-2-1 in the MIAA and moved into a tie for fifth with Alma.
The Belles' next game is against conference leader Calvin College, who is 7-3 on the year and 4-1 in MIAA play.
The matchup affords the Belles a chance to make a statement and make up some ground in the MIAA.
"I think if we can beat them in this game it will give us more confidence for the rest of the season," Concannon said.
The Belles will have their hands full with the talented Knights, however. Calvin boasts the top two scorers in the league in Tricia Dyk and Noell Berghuis, who have 21 and 11 points, respectively. Dyk leads the league in both goals, with eight, and assists, with five.
"[Calvin] was at the top of the conference last year, and they are strong this year," Concannon said. "They are very fast and athletic. It should be a very good game between our two teams."
The Belles and Knights square off Saturday at 10 a.m. at Saint Mary's.
All Sports Stories for Friday, October 4, 2002
