KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The wins keep coming.
The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team closed out the first half of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association season undefeated Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win against Olivet College at MacKenzie Field.
The Hornets sit atop the MIAA table with a 7-0-1 conference record.
Paige Sambor got the Hornets off to a strong start in the 12th minute of play when her initial header from a Madeleine Chilcote corner was blocked but a strong second effort allowed Sambor to volley it into the back of the net. This is Sambor's second straight game with a goal or an assist.
Execution on set pieces became a trend less than three minutes later when Sarah George gave the Hornets a 2-0 advantage. Her free kick from 30 yards out sailed out of the reach of the Olivet goalkeeper.
"The early goals from Paige and Sarah were very important to securing the win," Kalamazoo Head Coach Bryan Goyings said.
The Hornets dominated possession and outshot the Comets 27-7, but if not for Grace Smith's play in goal, Olivet may have found itself in the game.
Smith read the play well in the 59th minute of play as she came off her line and stopped an Isabelle Leon breakaway to preserve the clean sheet, notably her fourth of the season.
"Olivet has a potent offense and it was important that we played well defensively as a unit," Goyings said. "The team's third straight shutout is a testament to this endeavor."
Kalamazoo will get some rest before traveling to Hope College on Oct. 4 for a game with first place in the conference on the line. Kickoff in Holland is scheduled for 7 p.m.