The Alma College Men's Soccer team hosted MIAA opponent Hope College on a frigid, windy and sometimes rainy Saturday afternoon at Scotland Yard.

Despite dominating the first half, the Scots could not score and Hope would notch two second half tallies to earn the 2-0 win.

With the defeat, Alma found themselves with an overall record of 3-5-2 and 2-4 in the MIAA, while the Flying Dutchmen left town with a league mark of 5-1 and a record of 10-2 in 2014.

Alma came out of the gate as the more determined and hard working team and at least 80% of the first 45 minutes of play was inside Hope's end of the field. However, goals are the name of the game, and the Scots came up empty in that area despite several good chances.

The best opportunity of the half came in the 36th minute. Hope GK Ethan Beswick overextended himself and left the net open, but two consecutive shots by Alma So. M Austin Gabris (Spring Lake/Spring Lake) and Jr. F Spencer Sandow (Midland/Midland) were blocked by defenders.

That sequence of events allowed Hope to escape to the warmth of their idling bus deadlocked 0-0 at halftime. The Scots had 11 total shots (two on goal) in the first half to Hope's three total shots (none of goal). The Flying Dutchmen did have the advantage in yellow cards 2-1 and corner kicks 2-1 in the first frame.

But, as good teams do, the Flying Dutchmen rallied to play a much better final 45 minutes. However, the game was still tied at 0-0 until the 63rd minute. At the 62:47 mark, M Gavin Midlam converted a header from a corner kick pass from M Cameron Dice for a 1-0 advantage.

Then, at 83:14, Dice again had a corner kick and left footed a beauty of a shot that curved into the upper corner of the net untouched and past the outstretched hands of Alma So. GK Nick Strait (Jenison/Jenison). The rarely seen shot gave Hope the deciding 2-0 lead and the visitors were able to hang on from there.

Alma next plays on Tuesday afternoon when they travel to Adrian College to take on the Bulldogs in a MIAA battle. Start time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.