Saturday afternoon saw the Alma College Women's Soccer team travel to Kalamazoo take on the Hornets in a key MIAA matchup between the two teams. The Scots broke a tie ballgame in the 54th minute to capture the big 1-0 victory.

With the win, Alma improved to 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA, while Kzoo fell to 4-3-1 in the league and 7-3-1 in 2014.

"Today was a tough, hard-fought game as we expected Kalamazoo to be a difficult match for us and I am happy that we were able to come away with the three points," said Alma Head Coach Matt Saul. "Defensively, it is great to have two clean sheets in a row and that is something that we should be proud of as a team. It is something that we shall continue to aim for in the rest of our games.

"We are excited to now continue our intensity and work rate into the second half of the season."

After the first 45 minutes of play, the two teams were deadlocked 0-0 in a tightly defensive battle between two teams not wanting to give up the first tally.

Kalamazoo had two shots on goal (seven total shots) in the first half, but both were turned away by Alma Fr. GK Jenna Fassbender (Mattawan/Mattawan). For the Scots, they have three total shots with one on goal, stopped by Hornets GK Lucy Mailing.

Two of Alma's shots went wide, with the lone on goal being by Jr. MH Allysen Neumann (Greenville/Greenville). In the half, the Hornets had three corner kicks, while the Scots had one.

The lone goal of the game came shortly into the second half as So. D/M Megan Kalanik (Milford/Lakeland) scored unassisted at the 54:05 mark to put the Scots ahead 1-0. As the game played out, the goal would be the final shot on goal of the game for Alma but it was enough to earn the win.

Kalamazoo had four shots on goal in the final 45 minutes but Fassbender was up to the task and blocked each one of them. Overall, the Hornets had 14 total shots in the game, while six were on goal, and Alma had five total shots with two being on the net.

Fassbender made six saves to earn the win and record her fourth shutout of the season. Offensively Kalanik and Jr. F Kelly Wilson (Midland/Dow) had Alma's shots on goal, while So. M Jessica Burg (Grand Ledge/Grand Ledge) had two total shots.

Up next for Alma is a home date with Calvin College on Wednesday afternoon at Scotland Yard. The match against the Knights is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.