By Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo College men's soccer team began its 2013 season with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in the 2013 Hornet Classic.
The Hornets did not waste time to take the offensive. Junior Emerson Talanda-Fisher missed wide on a shot just 35 seconds into the contest. Despite dominating possession in the opening minutes, Kalamazoo surrendered a goal with 8:38 in the first half. Drew Porter broke through the Hornet defense, and beat junior goalkeeper Beau Prey.
Kalamazoo responded with two shots, both missing target. The Raiders then turned to the offensive earning consecutive corner kicks. The second yielded a goal for MSOE. A header from Mike Skow was blocked by a defender, but the rebound went straight to Brock Shilling who found the back of the net.
MSOE took the 2-0 lead into halftime.
Then Mother Nature intervened. Thunder caused the game to be delayed 45 minutes.
After the delay, the Hornets picked up the intensity. Despite the pressure, K could not break the Raiders back line. Kalamazoo finished the contest with 18 shots, six of which were on net. Sophomore Nicholas Shabino had a team-high three shots. Prey was credited with eight saves.
"I was proud of the way we responded in the second half," Kalamazoo Head Coach Lumumba Shabazz said. "The way we played in the final 45 minutes is much more symbolic of who we are and what we want to be."
Kalamazoo will finish the 2013 Hornet Classic with a 5:00 pm game versus Madonna.