Women's Soccer Captures Shutout Win over Saint Mary's

The women's soccer team celebrating a goal.
Photo by Kimberly Moss

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team traveled to Indiana for the second time of the week to play Saint Mary's in an MIAA match-up on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15). The Hornets claimed their fourth shutout of the season on the way to a 2-0 win over the Belles. 

"The three points today needed to be earned, and the team proved to be up to the challenge," said Head Coach Bryan Goyings. 

Saint Mary's was initially on the attack, and Lexi Nesbitt came up with a huge breakaway save to keep the score tied at zero. Kalamazoo then seized control in their offensive zone, and as a result, the Hornets outshot the Belles in the half by an 8-7 margin. One of those shots hit the back of the net for the eventual game-winner in the 40th minute. Ellie Andrews took possession of the ball from 30 yards out of the goal, made a couple of defenders miss, and then snuck the shot inside the right post for her second goal of the season. The successful attack gave Kalamazoo the momentum heading into the locker room at the half. 

Coach Goyings had this to say about the first half, "Lexi came up big on a breakaway save to keep the game scoreless. Shortly after that, Ellie had a phenomenal individual effort by beating several players off the dribble to score."

The offensive aggression continued into the second half, where the Hornets shot the ball 10 times compared to the Belles' three. Some cushion came in the 75th minute as Sophia Timm-Blow netted her first goal of the 2022 campaign. Amalia Scorsone dropped off a pass in the box after the ball deflected off the Saint Mary goalkeeper from a previous shot, and Timm-Blow made the chance count from 10 yards out. The Hornet defense only allowed one more shot after the second goal to secure the two-goal win. 

"We had discussed the importance of a second goal, and Sophia's goal clinched the win for us. We look forward to the opportunity to honor our seniors and compete against an elite opponent in Calvin on Tuesday," said Coach Goyings.

Nesbitt (6-5-2) made four saves for her second MIAA shutout and fourth overall on the season. Kalamazoo finished with more shots (18-10) and saves (4-3), while Saint Mary's had more corner kicks (6-5) and fouls (8-7).

The Hornets will have its last regular season home game and senior day against Calvin on Tuesday (Oct. 18), beginning at 7 p.m.