KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's soccer team played at MacKenzie Field for the third time this week on Saturday (Sept. 9) against North Park. After the Vikings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, the Hornets battled back to tie the game up in the second half. Unfortunately, a penalty kick was awarded to North Park, which was converted for the 3-2 victory.
Kalamazoo inserted Jordon Larco and Luke Bormann into the starting lineup with Gavin Houtkooper, Aidan Gillig, Michele Alia, Paul Kearis, Henry Plumstead, Emilio Romo, Chad Ewing, Jeremiah Heath, and Jake Lynett.
The two goals scored by the Vikings in the first half came a minute apart as Michal Dejworek deposited the ball after it bounced around in the box for a bit, and Mathias Soerum took advantage of a Hornet mistake on the ensuing kickoff. Kalamazoo got many shots off against the Viking defense but could not find the back of the net and went into the locker room down 2-0 at the half.
Kalamazoo's effort and aggressiveness flipped in the second half by constantly putting pressure on North Park. In the 50th minute, a corner kick by Tony Mares-Viveros was sent into the box, bounced off two defenders, and made its way to Romo's foot. The goal was scored in the bottom left-hand corner for Romo's second goal of the season. Then, as the Hornets started to tire the Vikings from the constant ball pressure, Lynett took a turnover and sent a cross from near midfield that Gillig put away with his head in the 75th minute for his second goal of the season. After tying the game up at two, the Kalamazoo defense was called for a foul in the box that awarded North Park a penalty kick. Willy Wickman stepped up and went to the bottom left-hand corner for the game-winner.
The Hornets held advantages in shots (17-6) and corner kicks (5-1, while the Vikings had more saves (4-1), fouls (18-15), and yellow cards (6-3).
Kalamazoo will return on Tuesday (Sept. 12) at MacKenzie Field to wrap up the homestand against Cornerstone, beginning at 7 p.m.