The Alma Women's Soccer team defeated Kenyon College (OH) 3-2 in two overtimes on Saturday, as Jr. D Brooke Bergeron (Holly, MI/Fenton) scored with 28 seconds left in the match on a corner kick assist from So. M Carly Reising (Ostego, MI/Otsego). The victory improved the Scots' record to 1-1, while Kenyon fell to 0-2.
"We started slow and they were up early in the contest, but we played much better soccer today and after their first early goal, we really settled down," said Alma Head Coach Jeff Hosler. "We had many quality chances the rest of the first half. I liked the way we battled back consistently, as we had to tie the game twice. Then to win with just 28 seconds left is something."
The Kenyon Ladies went up 1-0 at 2:33 mark when Caddie Durrett scored a goal that was assisted by Lisa Vaughn. Alma Jr. M/F Jessica Swan (Romeo, MI/Romeo) evened the game at 1-1 when she hit the back of the net on a pass from Sr. F Tara Fitzsimmons (Marshall, MI/Marshall). Kenyon kept the pressure on however, and took a 2-1 advantage into halftime after Durrett notched her second goal of the day at 14:56, on a score assisted by Shanna Keown.
The Scots were solid in the second half and the overtime periods and it paid off. Sr. M Kelley Walsh (Linden, MI/Fenton) deadlocked the game at 2-2 at 68:57 on a penalty kick and the two teams went into overtime. That tally set-up the late game goal by Bergeron as the clock was ticking to the end and the Scots walked off the pitch a winner. Each team had eight shots on goal, with Walsh and Swan each notching two for the Scots. So. GK Emma Heppler (East Lansing, MI/East Lansing) played the entire time in net for Alma.
"I am really, really proud of our girls' effort today. I believe that every girl on our team made an impact today, whether they stepped on the field or not," said Hosler. "Tara played like a senior captain should. Her efforts don't always show up in the scoresheet, but defensively, she was outstanding."
On Sunday, the Scots' challenge is even greater as they take on #20 ranked Denison College, but Alma is aware of the task at hand.
"We want to play a non-league schedule that gets us ready for MIAA play, and a game like Sunday's does just that for us," remarked Hosler.
