KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Under the lights and in front of the home crowd for the first time this season, the Kalamazoo College men's soccer hoped to begin Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play with three points, but the visitors from Olivet had their sights set on a result themselves.
Despite Kalamazoo controlling the tempo of the game and holding the vast majority of the possession, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday evening at Mackenzie Field.
Still tied 0-0 after halftime, Olivet ultimately broke the deadlock late in the game in the 86th minute. The Comets' Eli Westers found a loose ball at the top of the 18 and powered a shot into the upper right corner despite a full extension effort from Griffin Hamel.
The Hornets, not rattled, continued to press and found the equalizer just three minutes later. Kyle Hernandez served in a corner kick in the 89th minute and found the head of Benjamin Kileen whose initial header was redirected by Cal Kirchen into the back of the net.
Heading to extra time, the first 10 minutes were played much in midfield but one of the game's best chances unfolded in the waning minutes of the second overtime. Hernandez found himself one-on-one with the Olivet keeper, took a heavy touch past and just pushed his shot wide to the right into the outer side netting of the frame.
Joshua Robison gave the Olivet backline fits all night running at them constantly and in the end concluded the evening with four shots on goal to lead K. Five other Hornets ended their night with a shot on goal.
Hamel did well when asked upon throughout, coming up with multiple key saves to keep the game tied. He recorded eight saves in total.
Kalamazoo, now 0-1-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the MIAA, will travel to Alma on Saturday, Sept. 17 for its first road test in the conference.