Today, the #2 seed Scots defeated #1 seed Adrian College, 1-0, to capture the MIAA Tournament Championship. With the victory, Alma now advances to the NCAA Tournament next week. It will mark the first appearance in school history, as the Scots improved their 2011 record to 18-3-1, while Adrian is now 17-5.

Alma was in the MIAA Tournament Championship for the third time in the last four years - the first two coming up short in losses to Calvin College. Adrian played in their first-ever Championship game today after their third all-time win in tournament games on Thursday.

"I could not be more excited for the girls as they got the win after being in this game three out of the last four years," said Alma Head Coach Jeff Hosler. "The team did a great job of preparing and they executed the game plan perfectly, down to the last detail and to the end. One of our goals opening the season was to win the tournament and we did. Now, we have a chance to fulfill one of our other goals - winning games in the NCAA Tournament.

"We will enjoy this through the weekend and come back on Monday to get ready for the week. The team knows we have a chance to showcase on the national level what our program is all about and that will be our focus this week."

After a defensive and scoreless first half that saw each team have one shot on goal, the Scots were finally able to penetrate the back of the net at the 49:23 mark. Sr. MF Annette Stromberg (North Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon) took a rebound off of the crossbar and slammed it home past Adrian GK Chayna Wallace. The orginal shot was taken by Sr. MF/F Carly Reising (Otsego, Mich./Otsego).

"It was a matter of being at the right place at the right time, and I was able to get the ball into the net," said Stromberg. "It is great to finally win the tournament after two other chances, and we felt it was about time. We are looking forward to the NCAA Tournament and our goal is get wins."

The Scots were able to make that lone goal hold up due to very good defensive play and a solid effort by Fr. GK Morgan Waier (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc), who stopped the one shot on goal that she faced on the afternoon. Offensively, Alma finished with four shots on goal, with So. MF/F Taryn Handyside (Montrose, Mich./Hill-McCloy) leading the way with two. 

On Monday afternoon, the Scots will learn who and where they will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, which begins late next week.