By Mitch Blankespoor
After being picked to finish eighth in last year's Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association preseason coach's poll, the Kalamazoo College men's soccer team exceeded expectations posting an 11-7-1 overall record and 9-5 mark in the MIAA earning them a fourth place finish. Despite the finish, head coach Lumumba Shabazz was not fully satisfied with his first season as the Hornets head coach.
"We knew finishing last wasn't an option," Shabazz said. "That being said, we were disappointed with our fourth place finish. We believed in the group we had last year. Those nine seniors set the bar higher for years to come."
This season, Kalamazoo has two seniors: Michael Paule-Carres and Sean Chetcuti. Paule-Carres started eight games last season while appearing in 17. The Virginia native tallied three points on the season from the Hornet back row. His lone goal was the first of three in a 3-0 victory over the Albion College Britons on Oct. 27. Sean Chetcuti appeared in 15 contests a season ago and started five of them.
"Whether seniors or freshmen, we hold everyone to the same standard," Shabazz said. "Michael [Paule-Carres] will help this group learn to embrace being a student-athlete."
The junior class, six in number, features many of the Hornet midfielders from a year ago. Emerson Talanda-Fisher, Spencer MacDonald, Jory Finkelberg, and Werner Roenecke all saw minutes in the midfield. Talanda-Fisher, a captain this year, was injured for a significant portion of the season, but is expected to contribute more this year, while MacDonald was one of only six Hornets to appear in all 19 games.
Beau Prey played the role of backup goalkeeper last year and surrendered a lone goal on 315 minutes. The Milford native boasted a .950 save percentage en route to a 4-0 record as Kalamazoo's net minder.
"The junior class grew up playing soccer," said Shabazz. "They are hungry and passionate about the game."
Jordan Veillette, Jackson Greenstone, Shahir Azhar, Nicholas Shabino, and Roger Mason Darling highlight the sophomore class. The latter two scored seven and six goals respectively a season ago, and accounted for over half of Kalamazoo's goals. Jordan Veillette and Shahir Azhar helped anchor a defense that led the MIAA with seven shutouts.
"The sophomore class is part of our transition back to a 'soccer player' program," said Shabazz. "They have all played soccer growing up, and have experience well beyond their years in a Hornet uniform, so I expect an even greater contribution from them all this upcoming season."
This year's freshman class brings in ten new faces to the Kalamazoo men's soccer program. All will see playing time and will immediately challenge for a starting position.
"Our freshman class, which features players from diverse backgrounds like Jamaica, Colombia, Ecuador, Malta, Canada, Afghanistan, and the United States, all come from a club environment of top level soccer," Shabazz said. "All of them have competed at the highest club level for many years. Of course, there will be growing pains, but because of their experience, the level of play in the MIAA shouldn't shock any of them."
Kalamazoo kicks off its season playing Madonna and Milwaukee School of Engineering as part of the Hornet Classic held Aug 30-31. Kalamazoo then travels to Ohio Northern and Chicago rounding out its non-conference schedule.
"Our goal is to challenge the team right from the start," said Shabazz. "We want to travel to tough places and play in environments we hope to see later on."
Kalamazoo will host three of its first four MIAA opponents before games at Calvin on Oct. 5 and at Hope on Oct. 9. Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 19 when K hosts the Comets of Olivet College.
"Don't count anyone out in this conference," Shabazz said. "You can be that much better than your opponent and still lose. Talent alone is certainly never enough, and as far as I am concerned, anyone can beat anyone in this conference."
Kalamazoo was picked to finish third in the MIAA preseason coach's poll released Aug. 21. The Hornets garnered two first place votes and 21 points. Calvin, the preseason favorite, finished with 13 points while Hope finished second with 14 points.
The men's soccer team is poised for a successful season, but according to Lumumba Shabazz, a successful season is much more than wins and losses.
"Success for us involves a trifecta of values. Athletically we want to contend for a conference title and make the NCAA Tournament. This means our dedication to working hard and our commitment to the team goals takes precedence over individual interests. Secondly, we expect our players to carry themselves as responsible citizens who can be trusted to make the right decisions when no one is watching. And finally, we pride ourselves as being worthy standard bearers for academic excellence. When all three come together, as it did last year, we are truly happy."