It was a big day at Scotland Yard for the Alma College Men's Soccer team and Head Coach Josh Oakley as they hosted Adrian College in a final season match.

A win and an Olivet tie or loss at Calvin would seal a berth in the MIAA tournament for the Scots. After a 3-0 victory and the Comets loss in Grand Rapids, the Scots had secured their first MIAA tournament appearance since the competition began in 2011.

The Scots advance to take on Calvin in the MIAA Semi-Finals down in Grand Rapids on Wednesday afternoon.

With the victory, Alma improved their overall record to 8-7-3 and they finished with a MIAA record of 7-6-1, while Adrian fell to an overall record of 8-7-3 and an MIAA record of 7-6-1.

Alma took the lead and never looked back after So. F Tyler Raab (Mason/Mason) recorded his first goal of the season at 4:20 of the game with an assist from Jr. F Zach Vandeveer (Elk Rapids/Elk Rapids).

It was a back and forth half, but that would be the only score of the first 45 minutes, as Alma finished with 12 total shots to Adrian's eight. Alma also led the first frame with two corner kicks to Adrian's one.

Alma continued their strong play early in the second half with a quick goal just 1:10 into the frame, when Jr. M/F Julian Birge (East Lansing/East Lansing) scored from Vandeveer, who notched his second assist on the day.

Alma was relentless, scoring their third goal of the contest at 60:33 when Birge notched his second goal of the day, unassisted, to put the Scots up 3-0. 

The Alma defense held on the rest of the half and ended the game with the three-goal advantage. For the contest, Alma ended up with 25 total shots to Adrian's 10 and also dominated in shots on goal by a margin of 10-3. They also led the day in corner kicks 8-2.

In net for Alma was Sr. GK Brett Galloway (Clinton Township/Chippewa Valley), and then Jr. D Dylan Rowley (Lapeer/Lapeer East). Galloway received the win (4-4-3) and was in net for 86:52, while Rowley finished up the game with 3:08 remaining and closed out the win.

Story written by Sports Information Student Assistant Grace Wheeler