KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's soccer team hosted Adrian in an MIAA match-up on Wednesday evening (Oct. 19). The Hornets controlled the pace of play throughout the entire game, en route to a 1-0 conference win over the Bulldogs.
The Kalamazoo offense challenged the Adrian goalkeeper early and often in the first half. Nine of the team's six shots had a chance to score, and the Hornets added another five set-piece opportunities off corner kicks. Unfortunately, the netminder was up to the task through the first 45 minutes to keep Kalamazoo scoreless. Defensively, the back line did its job by not allowing the Bulldogs to have a chance to get a shot toward the goal. As a result, the scoreboard read 0-0 at halftime.
However, it did not stay that way for long as in the second minute of half number two as the Hornets finally got past the Adrian goalkeeper. Deep into the Bulldog box, Henry Plumstead fired a shot off the goalkeeper's body that he could not control. Emilio Romo seized the opportunity to score his team-leading fourth goal of the season and buried it. Even with the one-goal lead, the Kalamazoo defense didn't allow a shot until the 73rd minute. None of the five Adrian shots ended up in the back of the net as the Hornets collected a much-needed three points in the MIAA standings.
Gavin Houtkooper ended his fourth shutout of the season with two saves, surviving a wild last two minutes without allowing the equalizer. Kalamazoo finished with more shots (18-5) and corner kicks (6-5), while Adrian had more saves (11-2) and fouls (15-6).
The Hornets will play its final regular season road game on Saturday (Oct. 22) at No. 9 Calvin, beginning at 7 p.m.