Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Golden Eagles clinched the fifth seed in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament in the 2026 season (the highest since 2020) and looked to face off against the fourth seed Aquinas College, a crosstown rivalry matchup to open up the postseason. The first half saw Aquinas open up with the pressure as the home team, lacing a few shots towards goal but they were unable to find the breakthrough. Cornerstone led the first half in shots at five to Aquinas's four, two of those shots were on goal for the Golden Eagles but none found the back of the net.
Men's soccer finished out the 2026 season under the new head coach, Brady Van Holland 4-12-1 overall and 4-4-1 in WHAC play with the best conference finish since the 2020 season.
Game Recap: Cornerstone – 2 Aquinas – 1
First Half:
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The first half began with an onslaught of attacks from the Saints, as Luke Philo made a save in the sixth minute before another shot hit the post for Aquinas. The score remained 0-0.
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Two shots by Jack VanEyk in the 13th and 14th minutes were blocked by the defense. The attempts were followed up by another shot from Jadon Strawser was blocked.
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Jadon Strawser let another fly, this time denied by the Aquinas goalkeeper in the 21st minute of play.
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Another chance for Cornerstone came in the 27th minute, as Isaac Wood's chance was denied by the goalkeeper once again.
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The first half came to its conclusion still with a level score of 0-0, tied between the Golden Eagles and the Saints.
Second Half:
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Two shots by the Saints in the opening two minutes of the second half were blocked by Cornerstone, as Luke Philo tallied another save in the conference tournament.
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The header by Isaac Kwantes was parried away by the goalkeeper in the 51st minute, denying the breakthrough for Cornerstone.
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Aquinas found the first goal of the match in the 55th minute, as they led Cornerstone 1-0.
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The Golden Eagles responded immediately, as Stephen Stidham sent it home off the assist from Jack VanEyk in the 56th minute. The match was tied 1-1.
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Ten minutes later the Saints jumped back into the lead, as another goal from Fikret Hasovic put the home side back in front 2-1 in the 66th minute.
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Jadon Strawser's shot forced a save by the goalkeeper, as Aquinas remained in the lead 2-1.
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Cornerstone kept pushing the pressure, as Lake Vander Ploeg let it rip on goal, but another good save kept the scoreline the same 2-1 over Cornerstone with under eight minutes to go.
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Cornerstone gave up a foul in the 84th minute inside of the box, which gave the Saints a penalty chance to seal the win. Fikret Hasovic stepped up and slotted it home to score his third of the game, as the Saints led 3-1.
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The Golden Eagles' season would come to an end in the WHAC Quarterfinal as the Saints will move on in the WHAC Tournament after winning 3-1.
By The Numbers
1 – Steven Stidham sent the lone goal into the back of the net for the Golden Eagles that tied up the game in the second half 1-1.
1 – The assist through traffic to Stidham from Jack VanEyk.
2 — Jadon Strawser recorded two shots on goal for Cornerstone in the quarterfinal.
What's Next
Men's soccer finished out the 2026 season under the new head coach, Brady Van Holland 4-12-1 overall and 4-4-1 in WHAC play with the best conference finish since the 2020 season.
Contact: Mason Young | Mason.Young@Cornerstone.edu
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