Kalamazoo FC Finds Offense in Two Wins

With a game under their belt in the 2018 season, Kalamazoo FC entered the weekend with a National Premier Soccer League opener, followed by their first of two matches in the Michigan Milk Cup.

After a 2-0 victory over the Southwest Michigan All-Stars to open the season May 6th, KzFC hosted FC Indiana in the NPSL opener on Friday. The Teals then hosted Force FC out of the Michigan Premier Soccer League in their first round series of the invitational Milk Cup. Here's the recap of last weekend's action at Mayors Riverfront Park.

Friday - Kalamazoo FC 5, FC Indiana 0
Both teams started out slow thanks to wet conditions and lower than normal temperatures for a May night. KzFC dominated the time of possession throughout the contest, but couldn't put together any scoring chances in the first half. Kalamazoo put up the first score in the 29th minute, as Janum Sailor (Spring Arbor) was able to place a shot into the cage from a Cam Sipple (Western Michigan) corner kick. The 1-0 score would hold to the half, but the hot offense was set to start in the second half.

The scoring onslaught began in the 60th minute, as Ryan Melgar (wheaton College) chipped in a corner kick from Lucas Malaguez (Grand View). Other scores came from Vini Schwindt (Grand View) in the 67th minute and two more from Jovanni Garcia (Davenport) in the 71st and 87th minutes.

It was a clean sheet for goalkeeper Beau Prey (Kalamazoo College), who only needed one save on the night. FC Indiana was only able to provide four shots on the evening.

Sunday - Kalamazoo FC 6, Force FC 1 (Michigan Milk Cup-First Round)
In the opener of the invitational Michigan Milk Cup, the offensive power continued from two nights before. The Teals put up two goals in the first 20 minutes, with Sailor tallying both scores. Nick King (Bucknell) got the assist in the 18th minute, with Sipple earning his second assist of the weekend in the 20th.

Force FC was able to score in just four minutes later to give KzFC their first blemish of the season. Kalamazoo FC would return the favor in the 26th minute with Garcia's third goal of the weekend and Sailor getting his first assist. The Teals would head into half up 4-1 thanks to a King's first goal on the season from a Sipple assist.

The match would play pretty even in the second half, as Force FC put some added pressure on Kalamazoo's defense. KzFC would score two more times to put it away. Sailor scored his third goal of the night in the 71st minute with a Josh Robison (Kalamazoo College) assist. Luke Morrell (Oakland) would wrap up the scoring with a 15-yard right side boot from a Yovany Duran (Davenport) assist in the 76th.

Hasten Biddlecome (Wheaton College) and Elijah Michaels (Western Michigan) split time at goal, as Michaels played clean in the second half.

The Week Ahead
Kalamazoo FC heads on the road for the first time Friday as they see Force FC again for the second leg of their first round match-up in the Michigan Milk Cup. KzFC advances to the semifinals with a win or they lose by less than five goals (aggregate goals are the tie-breaker). The semifinal match will take place sometime in June.

On Sunday, the Teals return home and to National Premier Soccer League play as they battle the Milwaukee Torrent. The Torrent enter the contest at 0-1-2 and have tied their last two matches. After playing to a scoreless tie with Grand Rapids FC on May 11th, they earned a 2-2 draw with FC Columbus Sunday.

Kalamazoo FC is in second place in the NPSL's Great Lakes Conference with three points, with Milwaukee just behind with two.

Kick-off Sunday is at 5:30pm at Mayors Riverfront Park. Tickets are available for the contest online and at the gate. It's First Responders Night, as Kalamazoo area emergency vehicles will be on hand. All first responders that attend the game will get $2 off and will also be part of halftime entertainment.

For more details on tickets, schedule and merchandise, visit kalamazoofc.net!