by Robert Youngs, Jr.
Despite giving eight goals to Calvin in two matches this year, the Kalamazoo College men's soccer team was on the verge of upsetting the top-seeded Knights in the MIAA Tournament semifinals on Thursday.
But, even for as much as they pushed Calvin to its breaking point, it wasn't meant to be this season, as the Hornets fell, 1-0, in the second overtime at Zuidema Field in Grand Rapids.
Calvin's Travis Vegter scored a header in the 109th minute that came on a high, flat service from the Knights' Taylor Pruis to give the hosts the victory.
Despite being outshot 28-5, only six of those went on net for Calvin. Kalamazoo put two shots on target, but did not register a shot attempt in the overtime periods. The defensive effort from K, however, was what kept the Hornets within striking distance all afternoon.
"I think we've been consistent in terms of preaching team defense," said Hornets coach Lumumba Shabazz. "It starts with the guys up top and it makes it infinitely better for the guys along the back."
Shabazz also had lots of praise for senior defender Jared Georgakopoulos, who played a huge part in the match in the Kalamazoo back line.
"He was all over," said Shabazz. "I wish we could duplicate him."
The Hornets had chances in a six minute span in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Rory Landis looked to enter the penalty area with the ball, but was tackled and dispossessed. Next, on a Hornets' corner in the 59th, Calvin keeper Jared Rushlau had to punch the ball away or it might have scored.
Later, in the 75th minute, Kalamazoo had a great trio of tries denied. The first was a cross by Nicholas Shabino that was punched away. The next two were chances inside of the six-yard box that were both blocked.
Calvin, for the most part, exercised the ball about the pitch as it desired in the overtime frames, save for a free kick that the Hornets won in the 100th minute. The kick sailed into the box, but was headed away.
The loss ends the Hornets' season and the careers of seniors who go out on a high note. The opportunity to qualify for the MIAA championship match was not lost on coach Shabazz.
"I expect it," said Shabazz, when asked for his response if he were to be told in August his team would have such an opportunity at the end of the year.
"It's just a great group of boys," Shabazz said. "Everybody bought into what we've been preaching in terms of hard work, sacrifice, team unity and cohesiveness. I'm really proud of them."
Senior keeper Dane Macdonell made five saves in net. Dagan Hammar and Rory Landis each put a shot on target. Georgakopoulos had two shots, as well.
Kalamazoo's season ends at 11-7-1, with over double the wins and almost half the losses from a season prior.
"We knew that finishing eighth was never going to be the case," Shabazz said. "I'm a firm believer that, if you work hard and all the elements are right, then great things will happen."