KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Albion College men's soccer team wrapped up the regular season with a 1-1 tie against Kalamazoo College, earning a bye into the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament.
"I told the team pre match that in my first season at Albion, we went to Kalamazoo and made it into the MIAA playoffs for the first time," said head coach
Wytse Molenaar. "Now nine years later we have to make it a first to get a bye in the MIAA tournament."
With the result, the Britons enter the MIAA Tournament as the second-overall seed, owning the tiebreaker over Calvin University courtesy of their 4-3 victory a week ago. Albion will coast into the MIAA semifinals after earning their best regular season finish since 2006, when the Britons went 11-2-1 in MIAA action to finish second.
"It was a tough battle against a Kalamazoo side who really made it hard on us tonight. We had a few chances to put a second one in and then a moment where we lacked focus cost us the win," Molenaar added. "Nonetheless a great regular season gets us a bye the team fought hard for. Now it's on to what's next, where nothing we did prior to Wednesday of next week will count - just that match."
It was a physical tilt against the Hornets, as both sides searched for crucial conference points to determine postseason seeding. There were 25 total fouls between the two sides, as a ferocious battle took place in the middle of the park in the final game of the regular season.
Albion battled the Hornets to a stalemate across the first half, outshooting the home side 7-6 along the way. Once again, the Britons whipped up some second half magic after scoring six goals in the second stanza across their previous two matches.
Sophomore talisman
Esteban Mercado found the back of the net for his 11th goal of the campaign in the 47th minute.
Xavier Yuille kicked off the scoring play, tracking down a through ball from
Jasek Zielaskowski. The junior ripped a shot towards goal but the ball ricocheted off the goalkeeper.
Mercado was waiting in the wings, however, collected the ball and slotted it into the open goal to put the Britons up. Albion maintained its pressure from there, as Yuille and Zielaskwoski forced three saves over the next 14 minutes.
Despite the flow of play, the Hornets struck with just under five minutes left in the tilt to knot the score at 1-1. Neither side registered a shot from there, ending the match in a stalemate.
"We hope to see a big Britons crowd at Alumni field on Wednesday!"
Up Next
Albion will enjoy a brief respite courtesy of its well-earned bye through the opening round of the MIAA Tournament. The Britons will host the winner of #3 Calvin University and #6 The University of Olivet on Wednesday, November 5. Stay tuned to gobrits.com for more information.
