Box Score ALBION, Mich. – Erik Vanfossen pounced on the rebound from Bobby Budlong's blast in the 15th minute, and the Albion College midfield unit controlled the action as Albion College hung on for a tense 1-0 victory over Hope College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association at the Davis Athletic Complex.
With the victory, Albion (5-4 overall, 4-1 MIAA) maintained sole possession of second place in the league standings. The Britons will take their shot at league leading and Division III 20th-ranked Calvin College Saturday afternoon in Grand Rapids.
A Hope foul set the stage for Budlong's free kick from just outside the box. Budlong's blast was stopped by Hope goalkeeper Blair McCormick, but Vanfossen was in the right place for his second game winning goal of the season.
The Albion midfield of Kyle Bourlier, Steven Lockhart, and Aaron Smit frustrated Hope, especially in the first half. The Flying Dutchmen were credited with two shots – neither of them on goal – in the first half.
"We figured out what they were doing in the midfield, the attacking midfield helped on defense, we were able to win balls in the air and we were able to connect a few passes out of the back," Smit said. "We're rotating pretty well and I think we're winning the 50/50 balls."
Hope had scoring chances in the second half, but Briton goalkeeper Justin Kraft collected five saves for his second clean sheet in as many contests.
