Kalamazoo FC Battles AFC Ann Arbor to 1-1 Draw

By Andrew Streitel/Kalamazoo FC

Kalamazoo FC traveled to AFC Ann Arbor this Mother’s Day to open up their Great Lakes Conference play in the National Premier Soccer League. A late equalizer from the home team saw the game end in a 1-1 tie.

KZFC opened their season playing against the reigning conference champion and put the pressure on AFCAA from the start. The game started with both teams getting acquainted with each other before KZFC struck early in just the eighth minute in the game. Dalton Michael was played a through ball by Luke Morrell and able to speed past the Ann Arbor defense. Michael would then chip the ball over the goalkeeper to score his first goal of the season and give KZFC an early 1-0 lead.

AFCAA would settle into the game nicely as they controlled most of the play and created good chances on net. However, the KZFC defense would be up to the task and helped the team go into half with the 1-0 lead.

AFCAA would continue to pressure the back line of Kalamazoo creating chance after chance but they simply could not find the back of the net. KZFC had a handful of opportunities in the second half but could not extend their lead.  Their one-goal lead would not be enough to secure the three points.

Amadou Cisse was only on the field for seven minutes before he scored the tying goal in the 90th minute to save AFCAA a point in their home opener. After a scramble in the box, Cisse was able to smash a shot on net that was too powerful for Isaac Walker to make a save on. KZFC would see the game out and settle for a 1-1 draw in their NPSL opener against the defending conference champions.

Kalamazoo FC will be back home on May 17 for their NPSL home opener against FC Indiana at Mayor’s Riverfront Park. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm on Friday.

Photo Credit: Jay Pike Photography