Offense Sputters in Kalamazoo FC Draw, Loss

Two games during the Memorial Day Weekend can always be tough for any team. With Kalamazoo FC's hot start, the winning could continue. Here's a look back at the action from last weekend.

Friday, May 25 - Kalamazoo FC 0, AFC Ann Arbor 0
After a 2-2 draw at home with the Milwaukee Torrent, KzFC stayed unbeaten with the opportunity to knock of the National Premier Soccer League's Great Lakes Division-leading AFC Ann Arbor. Both Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor were unbeaten not only in conference play, but in their overall schedule as well.

The Teals had their backs against the wall for a better part of the contest, with the Mighty Oaks supplying pressure on Kalamazoo's defense. AFC would put on 16 shots, but only eight on the cage. Kalamazoo's goalkeeper Beau Prey (Kalamazoo College) made all the stops in his final contest with the club after 2+ years.

KzFC had a couple of scoring chances, but a Jordan Veillette (Kalamazoo College) header from a corner kick in extra time was saved, closing the game out. It was one of just four shots on net for Kalamazoo.

Monday, May 28 - FC Columbus 3, Kalamazoo FC 1
KzFC made a trip down to Ohio to face FC Columbus for the first time in franchise history. Columbus has been around since 1995, but it was their first ever appearance in the NPSL.

Columbus came out with the first score of the game just 12 minutes in. KzFC would tie the match before the half, thanks to a penalty kick from Veillette in extra time to head to the lockers.

The second half was not as profitable for the Teals, as they would allow goals in the 87th and 90th minutes to suffer their first loss of the season. The win for Columbus was their first in NPSL play.

The Week Ahead
Kalamazoo FC will become familiar with the road this weekend with two more matches in conference play. It all begins in Wisconsin Friday with the second leg of their schedule with the Milwaukee Torrent. The Torrent picked up a win and a loss last weekend, shutting out FC Indiana Friday 5-0 before falling at Grand Rapids FC 2-1.

KzFC will see GRFC for the first time this season Sunday at Houseman Field. The Boys in Blue win over Milwaukee was their lone conference win over the weekend. They defeated the Muskegon Risers 4-3 in their second leg of the Michigan Milk Cup's first round, advancing them to the semfinals. GRFC is 5-1-1 overall and 2-1-0 (W-D-L) in the Great Lakes Conference.

The loss for Kalamazoo FC puts them in fifth place in the seven-team Great Lakes Conference, but just a point behind Detroit City FC and the Torrent for third place. It's still very early in the schedule, but the Teals are still within reach of the top two spots for a postseason bid.

The first round of the Michigan Milk Cup saw all four teams in Pod 1 advance to the semifinals, meaning Kalamazoo FC could see Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor or former NPSL squad Lansing United in the next round. The draw is set to take place this week, with a single game to be scheduled following.

Kalamazoo FC's next home match is the second portion of their schedule with Grand Rapids FC on Sunday, June 10th. The 131 Derby will continue at Mayors Riverfront Park at 5:30pm. As always, great tickets are still available!