GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Top-seeded Calvin University claimed the 2025 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Women’s Soccer Tournament championship for the fourth-straight year with a thrilling 2-1 victory over rival Hope on Saturday, earning the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament.

After earning a bye in the first round, the Knights opened tournament play in the semifinals against Kalamazoo College, posting a decisive 3-1 victory. Mikaela Waroway struck first in the 11th minute off an assist from Liz Williams. Early in the second half, CeCe McCarthy added to the lead with a goal at 50:12, once again assisted by Williams. Just three minutes later, Williams found the back of the net herself at 53:29 to seal the win. Goalkeeper Kalex Dodge anchored the defense with three saves.

In the championship matchup against Hope College, the Knights battled through a tense, evenly matched contest. Kiah Nichols broke the deadlock with a goal in the 68th minute, but Hope found the equalizer to set up a dramatic finish. With less than a minute remaining, McCarthy delivered the game-winning goal at 89:15, assisted by Waroway, to lift Calvin to the 2-1 victory and another MIAA title. Dodge totaled four saves in the championship win.

With the win, Calvin secures the conference’s automatic berth in the 2025 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament, where the Knights will look to continue their postseason success.