Happy Hornet Homecoming

Kalamazoo 4  Olivet 1

Sophomore Rachel Pitzer (18) and Freshmen  Natalie Reszka (24) both recorded goals on the day 

The Hornets celebrated Homecoming in Kalamazoo with a strong 4-1 defeat of the Olivet College Comets.  In front a numerous alumni, family, and friends Kalamazoo would bring strong energy right from the kick-off.  Sophomore Rachel Pitzer was able to get free down the right wing less than 5 minutes into the contest and served a strong cross in which skipped through the box to an on rushing Paige Howell who hit the ball first time with her left foot just wide of the target.  C.J. McCarthy would get the next best scoring opportunity for Kalamazoo on another ball crossed in that dropped inside the six.  A quick toe poke of the ball was unable to propel it past the Comet keeper.  Olivet would then be whistled for a hand ball in the penalty box in the 30th minute of the match.  Freshmen Natalie Reszka took the penalty kick and calmly placed the ball into the lower right corner of the goal, staking the Hornets to a 1-0 lead.  It was Natalie's first goal of the year as well as the first points of her collegiate career.  The team would not wait long to score again.  In the 32 minute, freshmen attacker Emily Gray found a loose ball just below the center circle in Olivet's defense half.  She played the ball down the right wing to a streaking C.J. McCarthy.  Olivet's goaltender was in a race against McCarthy to get to the ball which would end up just outside of the penalty box.  C.J. was able to cut the ball back, beating the keeper who had left the box and then bent a tremendous shot into the gaping goal to put Kalamazoo up 2-0.  It was McCarthy's seventh goal of the season and Gray's first college point on the assist.  The first two Kalamazoo goals were scored less than two minutes apart.   Kalamazoo would strike again before halftime.  McCarthy played a loose ball that was bouncing on the right side of the box across the goal.  Out of the air, junior Jackie Jessup who had just subbed on touched the ball first time into the right side of the Olivet net.  It's was Jessup's first touch of the game and first goal of the year.  At halftime, Kalamazoo would lead 3-0.  The second half would prove to be a little more choppy and neither team was able to find a true rhythm of play.  Olivet would take advantage of a loose ball in the 61st minute as Comet Ashley Buyce was able to shoot a ball past Kalamazoo goalkeeper Courtney McCoy, off the far post and in.  Despite struggling offensively, the Hornets would still threaten a couple more times.  The first being in the 82nd minute off a Kalamazoo corner kick.  Senior defender Anja Burk, had moved up the field on the set pieced, gained possession of a loose ball off the corner and from the top of the box she took a shot that went pretty high in the air.  As it began dropping it appeared that it was going to fall in behind Leanne Scudder, the Olivet keeper.  However, a last second tip by Scudder kept the ball out but Kalamazoo was awarded another corner.  This time the ball would drop into the 6yd box and after bouncing around several times.  Sophomore Rachel Pitzer was able to direct the ball into the back of net.  This goal would come in the 81st minute of the contest and conclude the scoring for the day.  Scudder would record 2 saves for Olivet while McCoy and Haggnemiller combined for 5 total saves.  With the win Kalamazoo moves to 6-5-3 and 4-1-1 in the MIAA and Olivet falls to 4-9-1 and 0-4-0 in the conference.  Kalamazoo is in sole possession of second place with 13 points behind league leading Calvin who has 15.  The Hornets have a bye this week before returning to the field when they host St. Mary's College next Saturday at 12pm.  Missing several key players due to an illness the Homecoming victory was a true team effort with a number of players stepping up for the Hornets.  Individuals who have not played a tremendous amount of minutes were able to show fans what the coaches see everyday at practice.  To those unable to suit up we wish them a quick recovery and a week without a game should serve them well.  Also, a big thanks to all the fans an alums that were able to make it out to the game and participated in the post game picnic.  It was truly a GREAT day to be a HORNET!

GO HORNETS!!!