Story by Kurt Miller
After closing out the regular season with a second place finish in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Kalamazoo College men's soccer team is hoping to break through and win its first ever MIAA Tournament Championship beginning Wednesday with a semifinal match against Alma College.
Starting the year with a difficult non-conference schedule, the Hornets were just 2-3-1 through their first six games of the season but the season turned around quickly beginning Sept. 22. Over the course of the team's next 10 games, the team won nine, which included a six-game winning streak.
A 7-0 win over Adrian, a 5-0 result over Olivet and a last second 2-1 comeback win over Alma highlighted the team's winning streak.
While the team's defending has been a strength under Head Coach Lumumba Shabazz, this year's team has increased its ability to get forward and get on the scoresheet comparatively to previous seasons. Throughout 2015, the Hornets have scored 38 goals—34 coming in conference play. Both totals are the most goals any team has scored in the four seasons Shabazz has been at the helm.
Much of the team's success in the attacking third can be attributed to the play of Cal Kirchen. The junior from Ann Arbor, Mich. has struck for 14 goals this season, the most in the MIAA. He's been award MIAA Offensive Player of the Week twice for his efforts throughout the regular season and he also leads the league in total points.
Midfielders Kyle Hernandez and Joshua Robison have helped propel the team forward this year as well, combining for nine goals and nine assists.
Equally important as the team's ability to get forward has been the team's ability to defend as a unit. Captained by senior center back, Jordan Veillette, the Hornets have allowed the second fewest goals (15) in the league.
Veillette has started all 18 games for the Hornets on the backline next to either Jacob Waier or Jonathan Nord. Antonio Pisto and Benjamin Kileen have seen the majority of the minutes for the Hornets at outside back.
With two close wins coming against Alma this season, the Hornets will look to get their third win against the Scots on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at MacKenzie Field. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the winner will play in the championship match on Saturday against either Calvin College or Hope College.