By Mitch Blankespoor
CHICAGO, Ill. - Kalamazoo Head Coach Lumumba Shabazz scheduled the University of Chicago because he wanted to face tough competition on the road. The Hornets got their tough game, and delivered with a 2-1 victory for K's first road win of the season.
"This win gives us confidence we can play with anyone on the road," Shabazz said. "I'm proud of our boys. With their play, they deserved to win."
The Hornets opened up the scoring in the ninth minute. Building up from the back, junior Jory Finkelberg fed a ball through the Chicago Maroon defense. The pass found the feet of Noah Bushaw who beat Chicago netminder Bret Wiesen. Kalamazoo would take the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Chicago outshot K 8-5 in the first 45 minutes of play. The Hornets earned two cornerkicks compared to three for the Maroons.
Similar to the first half, K scored in the first ten minutes of the second half. A throw-in in the offensive third found the feet of sophomore Roger Mason Darling. The Sutton Bay native sent a cross into the box finding the head of sophomore Nicholas Shabino who headed the ball into the net.
Chicago cut the 2-0 deficit in half six minutes later, but could not muster another goal.
"We grew up today," said Shabazz. "We played for each other and showed our class."
Junior goalkeeper Beau Prey picked up the victory saving four shots.
With its win, K improves to 2-2 on the season. The Hornets open up conference play Sept. 17 when they host the Bulldogs of Adrian College.