ADRIAN, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team traveled to Adrian for its regular season finale. After the Bulldogs scored the game's first goal in the first half, the Hornets secured the game-tying goal in the 52nd minute as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
"The objective was to get three points today, but we came up short," said Head Coach Bryan Goyings. "I was pleased with our effort and willingness to fight for a result in the second half. Anna Murphy and Maddie Coffman were both a presence in the midfield and played a major factor in scoring a point today."
The first half set the pace for the game, which proved to be an offensive contest. Kalamazoo had nine shots in the first 45 minutes compared to Adrian's eight. After the Hornets committed a foul in the box, the Bulldogs had an opportunity to take the lead in the 19th minute. Unfortunately, they converted on the penalty kick and took the 1-0 lead into halftime.
It did not take long for Kalamazoo to answer in the second half. Adrian committed this time as the Hornets had a free kick from about 30 yards out. Sophia Timm-Blow put the shot into the box, deflected off a Bulldog defender, and into the back of the net. The goal was Timm-Blow's second goal of the season, as the game was now knotted up at one. Both teams had multiple opportunities throughout the rest of the second half, but the game ended in a tie at one goal each.
Coach Goyings said this about goalkeeper Lexi Nesbitt: "We lived dangerously defensively at times, and Lexi was on top of her game today. She endured a couple of tough challenges and came up with some huge saves to keep the game 1-1."
Nesbitt ended up with six saves on seven opportunities for the game. Adrian finished with more shots (17-15), corner kicks (5-2), and saves (7-6), while Kalamazoo had more fouls (11-8).
"It was disappointing not to secure three points today, but the draw gives us a shot at making the conference tournament depending on the results in the league next Wednesday," said Coach Goyings.
The Hornets will now wait for the regular season to finish for the rest of the MIAA teams to see if they make the MIAA Tournament.