WHEATON, Ill. - The Kalamazoo College men's soccer team played its second neutral site game in as many days as Wisconsin-Platteville was the opponent today. After a scoreless first half, the Pioneers scored two goals in the 53rd and 80th minutes in the 2-0 win over the Hornets.
Kalamazoo went with nearly the same starting lineup as the first game this season, except for Jeremiah Heath, who got the start in the back line. The other 10 remaining starters were Gavin Houtkooper, Colin Halloran, Shun Yonehara, Aidan Gillig, Michele Alia, Paul Kearis, Henry Plumstead, Emilio Romo, Chad Ewing, and Antoine Kondracki.
The teams got up and down the field in the first half, creating some scoring opportunities. The Hornets shot the ball three times, with two being on target, while the Pioneers had five total shots, with two being on frame. Kalamazoo also took three corner kicks compared to Wis.-Platteville's two. The score was 0-0 heading into the locker room.
UWP cashed in on their scoring chances in the second half, as both shots on goal ended up as goals. In the 53rd minute, Sebastian Carranza connected on a header off a corner kick, and then in the 80th minute, Marcelo Garay took a cross and buried it in the back of the net. Houtkooper ended up with two saves on the day.
Wis.-Platteville held advantages in shots (10-8) and corner kicks (5-4), while the Hornets committed more fouls (13-11) and both teams had two saves each.
Kalamazoo will return to MacKenzie Field for its home opener against Olivet Nazarene on Tuesday (Sept. 5), beginning at 7 p.m.