KALAMAZOO, Mich. – It took nearly 70 minutes for the Hornets to find their first goal Monday evening at MacKenzie Field after dominating play throughout, but once the first ball found the back of the net the other goals followed shortly thereafter.
The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team scored five goals in a span of 15 minutes late in the second half against St. Mary's as the Hornets cruised to their second win in the last three days to improve to 2-0-1 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
"Tonight's game was a good reminder that wins in the MIAA must be earned," head coach Bryan Goyings said. "I was proud of our persistence throughout the game. I felt we were unfortunate not to score in the first half."
Holding a 21-1 advantage in shots at halftime but unable to break the deadlock, Kalamazoo remained persistent in the second half of play. Rosella LoChirco found the goal the Hornets were searching for making a weaving run through the Belles' defenders on a ball played by Christina Dandar before slotting the ball past the keeper.
Four minutes later the referee pointed to the penalty spot after K drew a foul inside the box and Katie Sorensen calmly gave the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
With Paige Sambor connecting on a lunging volley off a corner from Madeline Chilcote to give K a 3-0 in the 73rd minute, Sydney Spring scored nearly instantaneously off the ensuing kickoff after collecting a ball on the left side, cutting into the middle and shooting from the top of the 18.
Madison Moote tacked on the final goal of the game on an assist from Raechel Schmidt.
"We have done a good job spreading the scoring around with five different goal scorers tonight, and our ability to possess was also important in securing the team's first shutout of the year," Goyings said.
In the end, Kalamazoo outshot the Belles 43-1. Grace Smith recorded the clean sheet in goal without recording a save.
Kalamazoo will take Tuesday and Wednesday off from competition before another home match on Thursday, Sept. 15 against Calvin. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.