MATCH RECAP: KALAMAZOO FC 3, DAYTON DYNAMO 1

Kalamazoo FC continued their momentum in the wake of the victory over Detroit FC with a come-from-behind win against the Dayton Dynamo to go top of the table in the Great Lakes West Conference of the NPSL.

The weekend’s anticipated thunderstorms never came in Kalamazoo, but a stifling humidity made for slowed legs from both sides in the early stages of the game.  The first half belonged to Dayton, with Dynamo striker Maik Shnooderwoerd causing trouble for the KZFC defense.  The Dynamo kept the pressure up and eventually broke through in the 36th minute when Marc Hansson got a toe on an awkward bounce just inside the box and looped the ball over the KZFC keeper for the opening goal.  The half ended at 0-1.

Kalamazoo forward Amadou Cisse was brought in at half time and his presence was felt immediately.  KZFC went on the offensive and had three solid shots within the first 10 minutes of the second half.

In the 59th minute, Kalamazoo winger Heiko Leinweber sent a corner kick into the box that somehow slipped through the defense and was knocked home by Jordan Veillette.

Dayton almost took the lead back when Christian Myton blasted a shot off the underside of the KZFC crossbar, but the ball failed to cross the line and play resumed.

Cisse, who had already been making his presence felt since subbing in, added his name to the score sheet when he curled a shot from range off the inside of the post to take the lead for the home team.

Dayton fought back, but KZFC keeper Beau Prey thwarted shots from point-blank range to maintain the lead.  A mistimed challenge in the box from Dayton’s Greg Williams gave a Kalamazoo FC a penalty kick with less than five minutes to play.  Jose Garcia stepped up and buried the spot kick for his second goal of the season, and secured the three points on the night for the team.

Kalamazoo FC goes to 2-1-1, and heads to Chicago this Monday for a Memorial Day friendly against the Chicago Mustangs.  The next league game for both clubs is a rematch in Dayton, taking place on Friday, June 3rd at 7:00.