The Alma College Men's Soccer team hit the road on Friday afternoon to open their 2013 season with a contest at Spalding College (KY). The Scots made their debut a success by defeating the host Golden Eagles by a score of 4-0.

"Our fitness played a role today and I was impressed by our guys' ability to battle through the extreme heat," said Alma Head Coach Josh Oakley. "That team conditioning proved to be a vital asset in the second half. There's much left to do this fall and we will not get too high about this first game.

"I'm certain our team will be ready to play and improve on what we've started come Sunday at Hanover."

Both teams came out hard as expected for a first game and the offenses looked to establish themselves early. The Scots outshot the Golden Eagles by a 12-9 margin in the first frame and were able to notch the only goal of the half.

So. M/F Julian Birge (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) scored at the 13:26 mark of the first half to give Alma the 1-0 advantage that they would take into halftime. But the visitors knew they would need more offense on this day to be successful.

The Scots scored two goals within 3:11 of each other to take a commanding 3-0 lead over Spalding. So. F Zach Vandeveer (Elk Rapids, Mich./Elk Rapids) found the back of the net at 58:09 and was followed up by a tally from Jr. M/F Michael Smith (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel Catholic Central) at the 61:20 mark.

Alma finished the day's scoring at 78:57 when Fr. F Tyler Raab (Mason, Mich./Mason) notched his first career goal on an unlikely assist by Sr. GK Graham Wallace (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern). The Scots took that 4-0 lead and held the Golden Eagles at bay to walk off the pitch with a season-opening victory.

For the afternoon, Spalding actually outshot Alma by a 18-16 margin but Wallace turned away 10 shots on goal to earn the shutout for the Scots. Vandeveer led the visitors with three shots on goal, while So. M Matt Sovis (Williamston, Mich./Williamston) and Jr. M/D Joonas Kotka (Tallinn, Estonia/Gustau Adolph Grammar School) each contributed two shots on goal.

Alma continues the weekend road trip on Sunday afternoon when they take on host Hanover College (IN) at 1:00 p.m.