KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's soccer team returned to MacKenzie Field to play its final non-conference matchup against North Central on Saturday (Sept. 30). The Cardinals offense proved to be too much, defeating the Hornets 5-2.
Kalamazoo inserted Lucas Ruiz into the starting lineup with Gavin Houtkooper, Colin Halloran, Aidan Gillig, Michele Alia, Paul Kearis, Emilio Romo, Chad Ewing, Jeremiah Heath, Antoine Kondracki, and Jake Lynett.
North Central scored early and often in the first half, with three goals in the 11th, 15th, and 22nd minutes. Kalamazoo fended off the offensive attack for the rest of the first half and regrouped in the locker room during halftime. The Cardinals outshot the Hornets in the first 45 minutes 8-3, with five being on net.
The script flipped slightly in the second half as Kalamazoo got North Central on its heels. After the Cardinals put away a penalty kick due to a Hornet foul in the box in the 50th minute, Kalamazoo scored its first goal less than a minute later. Shun Yonehara received a pass from the end line at the top of the back and slipped a through ball past the North Central back line to a streaking Kearis. The fifth-year senior finished the job by scoring the first goal in his career past the outstretched right arm of the goalkeeper. NCU was awarded another penalty kick in the 55th minute to regain the four-goal advantage. Late in the game, the Hornets forced a Cardinal foul in their box to set up a penalty kick. Jordon Larco stepped up and finished under the crossbar for his fourth goal this season.
Houtkooper finished with three saves on eight attempts. North Central had more saves (6-3) and fouls (17-15), while the Hornets finished with an advantage in corner kicks (5-2), and both teams had 11 shots each.
Kalamazoo will begin MIAA play on the road at Olivet on Tuesday (Oct. 3), beginning at 5 p.m.