A pair of second-half goals helped No. 24 Calvin College hand the sixth-ranked Denison University women's soccer team their first lost of the 2009 season, by way of a 3-1 decision on Friday afternoon in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Knights applied some pressure in the opening stages of the match, but the Big Red backline stood strong and thwarted Calvin's early offensive efforts.  The Knights' Emily Ottenhoff sent a shot on goal early in the half, but senior goalie Courtney Cobb (Sylvania, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy) made the save to keep the game scoreless.

Calvin took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Jillian Honderd off an assist from Francesca Smith in the 21st minute.

Denison evened the score up at 27:40 when junior Kimmi Oshita (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) took advantage of a miscue by the Calvin defense and found classmate Jen Clemmer (Hixson, Tenn./The Baylor School) for the score.  After some more competitive play, the score stayed tied heading into the intermission.

Calvin retook the lead in the 63rd minute when Smith found Ottenhoff just outside the 18.  The Knights tacked on an insurance goal when Elaine Schnabel scored off a Honderd corner kick at the 72:47 mark.

Both squads attempted nine shots, while Calvin had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.  Cobb finished the day with two saves, while Kayla Sulzer made four stops for Calvin.

The loss drops DU to 3-1 on the season, while the Knights improve to 4-0.  Denison returns to action on Saturday when they travel to Holland, Mich. to take on Hope College.  Match time is slated for 12 p.m.