The defending MIAA Champion Alma Women's Soccer team opened up defense of their crown on Wednesday afternoon at Scotland Yard against Adrian College. The game did not go as well as the host team would have liked, as the Bulldogs scored three early goals and made them hold up for a 3-2 victory.

The loss dropped the Scots to 4-1 on the season (0-1 MIAA), while Adrian is now 3-2 in 2011 (1-0 MIAA). 

"It was a very disappointing day, but we know it is early and that the season is not a sprint with this new round-robin schedule," said Alma Head Coach Jeff Hosler. "We learned a lot about ourselves today and had some things exposed that had not been before. But, the positive is that they are correctable. We are all anxious to get back to practice and prepare for Olivet this weekend."

Adrian jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first 25 minutes of the game, hitting the back of the net at 8:18, 11:29 and 24:53. The goals were the first scored against Alma, as they had four shutouts thus far this season. For the half, the Scots outshot the Bulldogs 10-5 (5-3 shots on goal).

The Scots scored the only two goals of the second half, but still came up short in the end against Adrian. So. M/F Taryn Handyside (Montrose, Mich./Hill-McCloy) scored at 70:05, assisted by Fr. D/M Ava Peera (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) to make it 3-1.

Sr. M Annette Stromberg (North Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon) scored for Alma with 32 seconds remaining in the game off of an assist by Jr. M/F Elaine Cunningham (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central). But it was too little, too late and the Bulldogs walked off the pitch with the win. 

The Scots will host Olivet College on Saturday at Scotland Yard. The game is scheduled to begin at Noon.