The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced its men's soccer postseason awards and honors Tuesday evening. Five members of the Kalamazoo College men's soccer team were named All-MIAA, two more than in 2014.
Center back Jordan Veillette, midfielders Kyle Hernandez and Josh Robison and forward Cal Kirchen were each recognized with First Team honors. Outside back Antonio Pisto earned Second Team distinction.
Veillette—who also received the league's Zuidema award given to a senior who displays team play, leadership qualities, ethical virtues and excels athletically as well as academically—was named to the All-MIAA First Team for the second consecutive year. The team's captain for the 2015 season, Veillette organized a backline which allowed the second-fewest goals in the MIAA. He also produced three goals and one assist, proving to be an attacking threat off set pieces.
Hernandez and Robison are each being honored with All-MIAA First Team distinction for the first time in their careers. Hernandez was named to the Second Team in 2014 while Robison earned the same honors in 2013.
The duo in midfield combined for nine goals and nine assists, with Hernandez scoring five goals and recording six assists. Robison scored four goals and ended the year with three assists. Hernandez started 17 games this season while Robison started 16.
Kirchen, who led the MIAA in goals scored and total points, is being honored for the first time on the All-MIAA First Team. The junior from Ann Arbor, Mich. proved to be a dangerous target forward this season scoring 14 goals and recording six assists. In the month of October Kirchen scored in six straight games, which included a three goal and two assist performance against Adrian.
Pisto, also a first-time All-MIAA honoree, served as one of Kalamazoo's most consistent performers on the backline at outside back. The sophomore from Whitmore Lake, Mich. played in all 19 games and started 18. He recorded his lone assist in 2015 early in the MIAA season in a 5-1 win over Olivet.
"These awards are a testament to the hard work and diligence of these young men, as well of that of the team," Head Coach Lumumba Shabazz said. "They are all fully deserving and sacrificed a great deal, and are thus worthy of our conference's recognition. To them all I say, well done."
The Hornets ended the 2015 season with an overall record of 11-7-1 and a conference record of 10-4. The team's 10 wins in the MIAA are the most wins for Kalamazoo since 2002.