KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's soccer team continued MIAA play by playing Saint Mary's at MacKenzie Field on Saturday (Oct. 14) in rainy conditions. The Hornets improved to 4-1-1 in conference play following a 1-0 win over the Belles, extending their shutout streak to 285 minutes.
The starting lineup stayed the same for the third straight game with Elana Mitchell, Maddie Coffman, Olivia DePauli, Savera Rajendra-Nicolucci, Anna Murphy, Holly Bowling, Izzy Kastel, Ruby Hogan, Erin Somsel, Destiny Garcia, and Amalia Scorsone.
As the rain came down and water sat on the turf, Kalamazoo controlled possession for most of the first half. The Hornets took six shots compared to the Belles' two, and Kalamazoo took all three corner kicks in the half. K was also the aggressor in the first half by compiling 11 fouls to SMC's two. However, the score remained tied 0-0 heading into the break.
The play evened out in the second half, with Saint Mary's putting more pressure on the Hornet defense. As the rain started coming down heavier as the game began winding down, and that is when Kalamazoo struck. After a Belles foul near the midfield in the 84th minute, Anni Schnell sent a long ball down to the end line that Murphy collected. On one touch, Murphy sent a pass into the box that Coffman finished for the game-winner and her second goal of the season. The Hornets would hold on to grab three important conference points.
Mitchell made four saves for her sixth clean sheet on the season. Kalamazoo totaled more shots (9-6), corner kicks (7-0), saves (4-2), and fouls (19-11).
Kalamazoo will continue MIAA play by traveling to Calvin on Wednesday (Oct. 18) in Grand Rapids, Mich., beginning at 7 p.m.