In nearly perfect weather, the Alma College men's soccer team defeated Olivet 3-2 at Scotland Yard on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Scots improve to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in MIAA action. The Comets fall to 3-5-1 overall and 1-2 in conference play with the loss.

"Today was a good day for us to get back on track in MIAA play," said Alma Head Coach Josh Oakley. "The effort was there from our guys as usual, and we did a good job not getting rattled when we gave up the lead in the first half."

Alma got on the board first when So. F Spencer Sandow (Midland/Midland) knocked in his third goal of the season off a Jr. F Trae Pitts (North Muskegon / North Muskegon)-assisted header at the 4:05-mark. Olivet answered at the 16-minute mark with a header by Jon Puente to tie the score at 1-1. The Comets got on the board again at the 19:11-mark when Connor Plagens recorded his fourth goal of the season, to give Olivet the 2-1 advantage heading into the half.

The Scots would strike first in the second half with a goal by So. M Matt Sovis (Williamston/Willamston) at the 64-minute mark to knot it up at 2-2. It took Alma less than two minutes to get on the board again when Jr. D Joonas Kotka (Tallinn, Estonia/Gustau Adolf Grammar School) scored the game-winning goal at the 66-minute mark off an assist by Sandow.

Despite winning the match, the Scots lost the shots (16-12) and corner kicks (5-3) battle.

The net, Sr. GK Graham Wallace (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) recorded seven saves while Ryan Grashik finished with three for the Comets.

Alma begins October on the road, traveling to take on Kalamazoo on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m.