The Kalamazoo College men's soccer team lost in a penalty shootout to No.6 ranked Calvin College in the MIAA conference tournament championship Saturday afternoon. The teams were tied 1-1 over 110 minutes of play. The Hornets lost to the Knights both times the teams met earlier this season by a combined score of 6-0, but today was different. Calvin faced its toughest challenge in month.
The No. 6 ranked Knights came into the game having won 17 games in a row by a combined score of 61-4. To say they've been dominate in the MIAA this season is an understatement as they've been undefeated and before today had only given up three goals in MIAA play. However, today after the Knights scored, Kalamazoo answered right back in less than four minutes with a header goal from Cal Kirchen off a corner from Kyle Hernandez.
After the Hornets tied the game in the 37th minute they held the offensive juggernaut Calvin scoreless for the next 73 minutes until the penalty shootout. It was only the fourth time this season Calvin has been held to one goal or less. This, in large part was due to the tremendous work by Kalamazoo keeper Beau Prey who had five saves - bringing his season total up to 85.
In the penalty shootout neither team seemed to be able to stop each other. Over the first five shots both teams went four for five. Then in sudden death there were a combined eight more shots taken, with the Knights winning on their ninth attempt.
Kalamazoo finished the regular season as runner up for both the MIAA regular season and tournament championship.