A big turnaround story of the Alma College fall athletic season, the Women's Soccer team, continued its strong 2008 run by hosting Olivet College in a first-round MIAA playoff game today and coming away victorious.

After the game and two overtimes, played in perfect conditions at Scotland Yard, ended in a 1-1 tie, the game went to a shootout. Alma edged the Comets 4-3 to advance to the MIAA Semi-Finals on Tuesday afternoon when they will travel to Holland, MI to take on the host Hope College Flying Dutchmen

The Scots, under the direction of third-year Head Coach Jeff Hosler, finished the regular season in a second place tie (third in the standings after tiebreaker) and a record of 11-6 (6-2 MIAA) in 2008.  Now, they are in the final four of the conference and will playing for a spot in the league Championship when take on Hope.

On Saturday, M Jessica Swan (Romeo, MI) opened the scoring at the 39:16 mark of the first half on a goal assisted by F Tara Fitzsimmons (Marshall, MI) for a 1-0 Alma lead. The Scots outshot Olivet eight to two in the initial frame. The only scoring of the second half occurred when D Kellie O'Dowd scored on a penalty kick at 52:34 of the game. Both teams had five shots in the final frame for a 13-7 Alma advantage in regulation play.

After neither team scored in the two overtimes, both teams set their sights on the shootout and the Scots were able to come out on top by the 4-3 margin. Alma's goal scorers in the shootout, in order of their goals, were Swan, M Annette Stromberg (North Muskegon, MI), M Kelley Walsh (Linden, MI) and M Carly Reising (Ottsego, MI).

The game on Tuesday is set for 3:00 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Championship next Saturday at Noon at the sight of the highest remaining seed