The task was a difficult one for the opening game of the 2013 season for the Alma College Women's Soccer team as the Scots traveled to Pennsylvania to take on #1 ranked Messiah College. For nearly 80 minutes the two teams went toe to toe before the host Falcons were able to take a lead and eventually took home the 2-0 victory.

"I am so proud of our girls' willingness to compete and we were never intimidated on the biggest of stages and in front of 1,190 fans," said Scots Head Coach Jeff Hosler. "Messiah has been the standard in D3 soccer for quite some time now. To play a true road game against the two-time defending national champions and play them even for 45 minutes and then hold them scoreless for 78 minutes should establish some confidence in what we can be capable of this year.

"It will take a continued focus on improving each time out, and we must recognize that our commitment to work rate is what will allow us to have the success we seek."

The two teams played a competitive and defensive first 45 minutes as each team mustered two shots on goal that were turned away by each other's goalkeepers. Total shots in the half favored the Falcons by a slim 4-2 margin.

The second half saw Messiah control the ball more effectively, but the Scots were able to keep them at bay with a good defensive philosophy and poise. The home team finally got on the board at 78:49 after a stolen ball led to a curved shot into the left corner of the net past Alma Fr. GK Julie DeBus (Howell, Mich./Hartland).

The Falcons made the final score 2-0 as they scored on shot into the left corner by DeBus with just 26 seconds remaining in the match. Messiah outshot Alma by a margin of 15-1 in the second frame, including 8-1 in shots on goal. DeBus, playing in her first collegiate contest, finished the game with eight saves.

Tallying the three shots on goal for the Scots included Fr. M Jessica Burg (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge), Sr. M/F Taryn Handyside (Montrose, Mich./Hill-McCloy) and Sr. D Autumn Root (Haslett, Mich./Haslett).

Alma has little time to rest after tonight's tough match as they travel down the road to take on host Franklin & Marshall College on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 3:00 p.m.