Albion

ALBION, Mich. – Garrett Kuhlman (Tecumseh/Tecumseh) scored two goals in the first 7 ½ minutes, and while the box score states Albion College took fewer shots than its opponent, the Britons cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Olivet College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s soccer action at Alumni Field Wednesday afternoon.

With the victory, Albion (7-8 overall, 5-4 MIAA) vaulted over Olivet for fourth place in the league standings. The Britons have five matches remaining, and Coach Jerry Block maintains the Britons can still have a special season.

Albion pressured Olivet goalkeeper Ethan Felsing in the opening 27 minutes, placing its first five shots on goal. Jeff DeMoss (Rochester/Stoney Creek) sent a long diagonal pass and Kuhlman placed the shot just under the crossbar for the first goal. Kyle Wulf (Naperville, Ill./Nequa Valley) sent a pass off a set piece for Kuhlman’s second tally.

Jon Cannell (Vicksburg/Vicksburg) received a through ball from Dimitrios Tomaras (Ioannina, Greece) as Albion padded its lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Olivet was credited with 13 shots in the contest, but the Briton defensive unit of Wulf, Kevin Carron (Rochester Hills/Rochester), and Destin Simon (West Bloomfield/West Bloomfield) limited the Comets’ scoring chances to four shots on goal. Goalkeeper Jordan Thomas (Birmingham/Seaholm) was 2 ½ minutes from gaining his sixth shutout of the season when the Britons committed a foul in the penalty box.

Matt Manning buried the penalty kick for the Olivet goal.

Albion, 4-1 in home games this season, will play at Alumni Field again Saturday when it squares off against Hope College at 2:30 p.m.