Kalamazoo FC Earn First Win at Home, 4 Points Over Weekend

Kalamazoo FC made a large impact in the National Premier Soccer League standings following strong performances in their two weekend matches.

Friday at Michigan Stars FC
The Teals first took to the pitch in Berkley to take on the Stars in their first of two meetings this season. It looked promising out of the gate, as KzFC would get a goal in the 25th minute off a free kick. The long pass went off the hands of the goalkeeper, onto the foot of Ali Sodal. The pass was deflected twice by Stars defenders, off the post and punched in by Ade Adeniyi.

The Stars would come back in the second half with a goal in the 64th minute, when Naeem Charles took a long pass from the backfield, beat two KzFC defenders before beating goalkeeper Wes Mink on the right post. The goal would determine the eventual 1-1 tie. Both teams earned a point in the NPSL standings.

Sunday versus Lansing United
The Teals returned home on Father's Day to square off with second-place Lansing United, still looking for answers at Mayors Riverfront Park. They had yet to score and win in league play.

It changed quickly, as Sodal would get his second assist of the weekend, stealing a United pass and knifing a pass of his own to Jay McIntosh in the 12th minute. The Kalamazoo native put a good foot on one to end the season-long home scoreless streak, giving the Teals a 1-0 lead.

KzFC would add their second goal of the match in the 35th minute, as Tommy Clark would touch a pass to Adeniyi, weaving through two Lansing defenders and beating the keeper up high to make it 2-0.

The Teals had the game well in hand and cushioned it even more in the second half as Clark crossed a pass to Esteban Russell, finishing it off in the back of the net to make it 3-0 over the Hoops. Russell would complete the play with his signature flip after the score.

Standings and the Week Ahead
The four-point weekend for Kalamazoo pushed them up the NPSL Great Lakes Conference standings. Sitting in the basement for most of the season, the Teals now sit in fifth place in the conference with eight points. They move ahead of the Stars by one point and trail fourth-place Grand Rapids FC by two points. The Big Blue earned a huge 2-0 win Saturday over Detroit City FC, a game played at Fifth Third Ballpark - home of the West Michigan Whitecaps.

Two more games are slated this weekend for KzFC and will take place on back-to-back nights. On Friday, the Teals will travel to Hamtramck to battle Detroit City FC for the second time in two weeks. Le Rogue came to Kalamazoo on June 11th, earning a 1-0 win.

Mayors Riverfront Park will host Saturday's match, as KzFC hosts Oakland County FC for the first time. Kick-off is at 7:05pm and tickets are available for this weekend's contest.

As July approaches, Kalamazoo FC's schedule heats up with three home matches as the NPSL playoff push begins!

BONUS VIDEO! Check out all three goals from Sunday's 3-0 victory over Lansing United!