The Alma Women's Soccer team had a big task on a cold, breezy Wednesday afternoon at Scotland Yard. The were hosting MIAA foe Calvin College, a squad that had not lost a league contest since 2005, and had defeated the home team, 3-0, in the MIAA Championship game last November.

The Scots were up to the challenge and defeated the Knights, who had gone 39-0-1 in their last 40 league games, by a score of 2-1, a victory that improved Alma to 7-6-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the MIAA, while Calvin is now 10-4 (4-1 MIAA) in 2009.

"I can't tell you how happy I am for the girls and how proud I am on how they battled every minute of this match today," said Alma Head Coach Jeff Hosler. "Calvin has been the team to beat since I got here and they had not lost a league game in that span. My thoughts also go to our past athletes, who put hard work and dedication into this program to get it to where we are today."

Alma's Senior leadership was on display from the beginning, almost willing the Scots to the victory. Sr. M Kelley Walsh (Linden, MI/Linden) opened the scoring very quickly at 2:56, when she converted a pass from Jr. F Jessica Swan (Romeo, MI/Romeo) for goal that was also assisted by Sr. F Tara Fitzsimmons (Marshall, MI/Marshall).

Calvin countered at 30:54, when MF Emily Ottenhoff scored against Alma Sr. GK Katie Weicksel (Northville, MI/Northville) on a penalty kick to make the score 1-1 as both teams headed to halftime. Shots for the half favored Calvin by a margin of nine (four SOG) to four (one SOG).

The only scoring of the second half happened at the 63:59 mark, when So. M Hannah Bauhof (Troy, MI/Athens/Vardar) hit the back of the net on a pass from Fitzsimmons to give the hosts the decisive 2-1 margin of victory. So. GK Monica Witt (Clio, MI/Clio) played the second half for the Scots and recorded four saves to preserve the win.

"You have to respect what the Calvin program has done over the past four years in this league," said Hosler. "Every win in the MIAA is a good one, but today was special for our program. However, it was one game, and we know that we need to refocus and get ready to play a tough Adrian team next week."

That contest will take place at Adrian next Tuesday afternoon, with start time scheduled for 4:00 p.m.