The Alma College Women's Soccer team took on host Hope College on Saturday afternoon in Holland in a MIAA match. In a defensive match throughout, the home team finally broke through in the 67th minute and were able to earn the 1-0 victory.

With the loss, Alma is now 7-5-1 in the MIAA and 9-6-1 overall, while Hope improved to 12-1-1 in the league and 13-3-1 in 2014.

"We as a staff couldn't be more proud of the way we played today," said Alma Head Coach Matt Saul. "We had a game plan going into the match which we implemented well. Eventually, a set piece decided the result as is often the case with these games. I cannot fault any of our players today - we played with pride and passion. Regardless of the result, Alma should be proud of their women's soccer players today."

The first half began as a defensive battle but Hope was able to earn five corner kicks based on their offensive pressure. The only shot on goal during the first 45 minutes came off the leg of Scots Sr. M/F Kailey Vlug (Coopersville/Coopersville) in the eighth minute.

During the first frame, Hope had five total shots to Alma's one, but the Scots did finish with the only one on net.

The second half was more of the same except that the home team was able to get a few more shots on net against Alma Fr. GK Rachael Fokken (Pinckney/Pinckney). Finally, in the 67th minute, the scoring drought was broken.

The Flying Dutch's Nora Kirk scored her eighth goal of the game at 66:39 on a header from four yards out that eluded Fokken. That lone tally would hold up as Hope walked off the pitch with the one-goal league victory.

For the contest, Hope finished with nine corner kicks to zero for Alma and also had 15 fouls to the vistitors' five. Total shots in the game were 17 (six on goal) for the Flying Dutch and six for the Scots (five on goal). Five different Alma players had the shots no goal during the loss, while Fokken finished with five saves.

The Scots next play at Adrian College on Tuesday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m.