ANGOLA, Ind.-- Despite a late surge, the Trine men's soccer team was unable to overcome a slow start as the Thunder fell to Kalamazoo, 2-1 in MIAA-action Tuesday afternoon at Weaver Field.
Two first half goals provided all the scoring the Hornets would need. Brendan Groggel and Cal Kirchen each scored for Kalamazoo. Jacob Nantz (Galesburg, Mich./Galesburg-Augusta) scored his first goal of the season in the second half. The Thunder were able to mount several other scoring opportunities late, but were unable to break through to tie the score. Trine fell to 3-5-1 overall and 0-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets are now 3-3-1 overall, 2-1 in conference matches.
Groggel scored the game's first tally as Noah Bushaw sent a long cross to the far post that Groggel was able to finish. The goal made the score 1-0 at the 21:12 mark.
Just 6:39 later, Collin Sweet got loose on a run up the left wing. He sent a feed into the box that Kirchen corralled and fired into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
The match would remain that score until Nantz got the Thunder on the board with 23:45 to play. Nick Lang (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) launched a long, free kick into the box. The ball pinballed off the keeper, with Nantz collecting the loose ball and depositing it to cut the score to 2-1.
Lang's assist was his fourth of the season. He leads the MIAA in scoring in all matches with 12 points (4 G, 4 A). He later rang a free kick off the cross bar as part of Trine's late attempts to tie the score.
Kalamazoo keeper Griffin Hammel made two saves to earn the victory. Ian Jindrich (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) turned aside seven saves for the Thunder.
Trine returns to action this Saturday at Albion, with match time slated for 2:30 p.m.
