The 2022 Kalamazoo College men's soccer team will begin its season on September 1, playing host to Chicago at MacKenzie Field. The Hornets will look to knock off Calvin from the top spot in the MIAA after finishing second with a 5-1-1 record and an 11-4-3 record overall in 2021. Preseason camp began on August 18 and will feature a scrimmage on August 25 before starting the regular season.
MIAA Preseason Poll
Kalamazoo was selected to finish second in the 2022 MIAA preseason poll and received one first-place vote behind the Knights.
"It's great to be recognized by the other coaches in the league, but we have a long road ahead of us," said head coach Lumumba Shabazz. "Success is never guaranteed. We must be willing to work extremely hard, or we will find ourselves on the outside of what is a very competitive league."
Schedule Breakdown
- Two of the first three matches will be home matchups for the Hornets, including the season opener against Chicago at 7 p.m.
- Six of the following seven matches will be on the road to conclude non-conference play.
- The Hornets' conference opener at MacKenzie Field is scheduled for October 5 against Olivet at 7 p.m.
- Other MIAA home contests include Hope, Adrian, and Albion, while Trine, Alma, and Calvin are on the road.
- The last regular season game will also be at home against Albion on October 29 at 7 p.m.
Roster Breakdown
- Kalamazoo brings back 18 players from the 2021 squad and will add another seven new members for 25 total in 2022.
- That includes five forwards, eight midfielders, nine defenders, and three goalkeepers.
- Six seniors will lead a team of five juniors, 10 sophomores, and four freshmen.
Returning Statistical Leaders
- The 2021 MIAA Newcomer of the Year and All-MIAA Second Team member Gavin Houtkooper returns in net for the Hornets. Last season, Houtkooper went 5-2-2 with five shutouts, a 0.63 goals-against average, 40 saves, and a .851 save percentage in 997 minutes played.
- Also returning is the 2021 All-MIAA First Team honoree in Emilio Romo after scoring 10 goals on 24 shots on goal, including two game-winners.
- Aidan Gillig, Shun Yonehara, and Colin Halloran were also 2021 All-MIAA Second Team selections with Houtkooper and are back for the 2022 season.
- Three of the top four goal scorers in Romo, Gillig, and Chad Ewing are back for Kalamazoo, looking to pick up where they left off last season.
- The Hornets also return four midfielders who played significant minutes last year in Yonehara, Ewing, Paul Kearis, and Tony Yazbeck.
- Two of last season's five leading contributors as defenders are back in Halloran and Travis Barclay.
Stepping Up
- The back line is where Kalamazoo will need to fill holes with three seniors graduating.
Head Coach Lumumba Shabazz
Coach Shabazz returns for his 11th season as head coach of the Hornet men's soccer team. He has compiled the second-most wins in school history (88) while leading Kalamazoo to an 88-65-20 record overall. He has five seasons with 10 wins or more, including 12 in 2014, the most in a season since 2003 when the team had 14 wins. During his time at Kalamazoo, 23 different players have been All-MIAA selections.
Quoting Coach Shabazz
"We are very excited for the season. We played well last year and had a lot of success, but ultimately fell short of our goals. This year, it will no doubt be more difficult, but we are optimistic that we will be able to achieve as much as we planned. Players like Emilio Romo, Tony Yazbeck, Aidan Gillig, and Paul Kearis will be crucial to our success. They, along with the rest of our talented underclassmen, will be counted on to lift us back into contention for a league championship. It will not be easy because there are a lot of great teams in the MIAA, but we will do our best to rise to the occasion."