Box Score ADRIAN, Michigan – The Adrian College men's soccer team sent their seniors off in style tonight as they won in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to beat Kalamazoo College 2-1 on Senior Night.
The Hornets came out strong in the first half, playing stifling defense and finding the net in the 24th minute of the half. Kalamazoo freshman forward Matthew Fitz put the ball into the back of the net off of a pass from inside the box by sophomore forward Thomas Bryant, giving the Hornets the 1-0 lead that they would carry into halftime.
But the Bulldogs weren't going to let their seniors leave the field with a loss in their final game, coming out strong in the second half. Adrian's first goal came in the 68th minute when freshman midfielder Nick Watkins used his head to put a pass from freshman midfielder Zachary Roller into the back of the net tying the score at 1-1.
Ten minutes later the Bulldogs would score again as sophomore forward Ryan Kissel would send the ball down the pitch to freshman forward Tad Davis who in turn passed it across the box to freshman midfielder Brandon Katona who put it in the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season. The goal would be all the Bulldogs needed giving them the final lead of 2-1.
Adrian's senior keeper Lino Taormina had an inspired game, snagging the ball left and right to break up multiple Kalamazoo scoring attempts. Taormina's four saves in the second half were all impressive and were crucial for the Bulldogs' victory.
The win gave the Bulldogs a chance at making the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men's soccer tournament. But Adrian also needed a loss by Hope College, who won tonight by a score of 4-1 over Olivet College. Meaning the Bulldogs finish fifth in the conference and just outside of the four-team playoff.
The win gives Adrian a final overall record of 6-11-2 and a conference record of 5-8-1 for the season. In conference play the finish is a four win improvement over last year when the Bulldogs went 1-12-1 in conference. This season's fifth place finish and conference record mark the best finish by the Bulldogs since 2010.
--Nick Duffy '14, Adrian College Graduate Assistant SID
