ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team played its first road game of 2023 against Concordia from the NAIA. The Hornets captured their first win of the season behind a shutout and a pair of goals in the 2-0 victory.
"It was a well-earned team win," said Head Coach Bryan Goyings. "Our depth has played a key in each game and was on display again tonight."
Kalamazoo stuck to the same starting lineup for the third time this season with Elana Mitchell, Maddie Coffman, Ellie Andrews, Olivia DePauli, Savera Rajendra-Nicolucci, Anna Murphy, Elle Bernas, Holly Bowling, Izzy Kastel, Ruby Hogan, and Destiny Garcia. The Hornets also rotated nine subs off the bench throughout the game to keep their legs fresh.
Early on, Kalamazoo held a slight 4-2 advantage in the shots department and turned one into the first goal in the 31st minute. After earning a corner kick, Sydney Hagaman placed a beautiful cross into the box that Miyani Sonera finished for her first career goal. The ball did not touch the ground, as this was the first time Sonera put her foot on the ball in a game for K. The Hornets kept the defensive pressure on by not allowing a shot for the rest of the half and taking the 1-0 lead into the locker room.
The offense for Kalamazoo struck again early in the second half as Bernas scored her second goal of the season in the 56th minute. The pass came off the foot of Andrews on the insurance goal. The Hornets held on for the first shutout of the season as Mitchell ended the day with five saves.
Coach Goyings added, "I thought we continued to improve as the game wore on. Sydney played in another dangerous corner kick, and Miyani had excellent timing it into the top of the net on the first touch of her career. It was nice to secure the shutout and reflected a strong shift by the midfield and the back line."
Kalamazoo held advantages in shots (11-7) and corner kicks (4-2) while having more fouls (18-11), with Concordia collecting more saves (6-5).
The Hornets will continue to play on the road against Chicago on Saturday (Sept. 9), beginning at 3 p.m.