The Alma Women's Soccer team traveled to Hope College on Tuesday for the MIAA semi-finals and came away with a dramatic 2-1 victory, scoring a goal in the closing seconds of overtime. The win, improving the team's record to 12-6-1, moves the Scots into the league Championship Game on Saturday at Calvin College. The game against the Knights begins at Noon.

Alma M Jessica Swan (Romeo, MI) lofted a shot into the goal, assisted by M Kelley Walsh (Linden, MI), from 30-yards away with only 18 seconds remaining in the second overtime period to give the Scots the win. The sophomore Swan also scored Alma's other goal, assisted by M Becky Marton (Williamston, MI), in the first half at the 10:56 mark of the first half.

"Today was one of those complete team victories," said third-year Alma Head Coach Jeff Hosler. "After a grueling shootout win over Olivet on Saturday, to come out and play like we did three days later against a very good Hope team, shows the perseverance of this team. We played very deep into our roster and our team responded."

Alma was led by Swan's four shots (3 SOG), while Marton and Walsh (2 SOG) each had three shots. Defensively, the Scots were led by GK Katie Weicksel (Northville, MI), who had six saves agains the Flying Dutch.

Hope's only goal was scored by senior Allison VanBeek three minutes into the second half with an assist credited to Kristin Schwenk. Van Beek had a team-leading 12 goals this season. Hope ended with a 20-16 shot advantage. Each team had seven corner kicks. Hope goalkeeper Kelsey Bos made five saves.

Alma advances to the MIAA Championship for the first time in the program's history and their 12 wins ties a program high. Regardless of the Championship result on Saturday, the 2008 Scots squad will have the best finish ever for the program.

"It is huge for our program to be in the MIAA Championship game," said Hosler. "We talked about it before the game. To be where we were two years ago with four wins and then eight victories last year and now playing for the Championship is really something for Alma soccer. The girls believe in what we are doing."