KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- The Trine men's soccer team was unable to overcome an early two-goal deficit as the Thunder fell to Kalamazoo, 2-1 in MIAA-action Saturday afternoon at MacKenzie Field.
All three goals were scored in the opening 20:40, with the Hornets tallying twice in the first 17:30 to build a two-goal lead. MIAA-leading scorer Cal Kirchen scored the first goal, Jordan Veillette added the eventual game-winner. Nick Lang (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) scored his third goal in the last two matches for the Thunder, with Brandon Villanueva (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) picking up the assist. Trine fell to 6-9-1 overall, 3-7 in the MIAA. Kalamazoo improved to 9-4-1 overall, 8-2 in conference matches.
Kirchen got the Hornets on the board at the 12:46 mark off a pass from Matthew Fritz. Kirchen leads the conference with 11 goals.
Veillette scored what would later prove to be the game-winner just 4:44 later. The goal came on a penalty kick.
Lang had the answer just three minutes later, as the senior scored his eighth goal of the season off a pass from Villanueva. The eight goals are tied for the fourth-most in a season at Trine in the Division III era (2004-present). He has tallied either the goal or assist on the last five Thunder goals scored.
Trine had a chance to tie in the closing minute on a chance off a corner kick, but Hornet keeper Griffin Hamel came up with the stop. Hamel made five saves in the contest. Trine keeper Ian Jindrich (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) made seven saves.
At the time of writing, Trine remained one point out of the fourth and final MIAA playoff spot. The Thunder host Albion this Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.