The Alma College women's lacrosse faced a difficult task on Thursday afternoon when they hosted MIAA foe Calvin College at Bahlke Field. A second place finish in the league was on the line, which is important because the top two teams host a playoff game next week.

The determined Scots held off the relentless Knights by a score of 16-14 in perhaps the most thrilling game in the short history of women's lacrosse at Bahlke Field. The back and forth affair was in doubt until the end, but Alma prevailed to take over sole possession of second place.

With the win, the Scots improved to 6-1 in the MIAA and 11-5 overall, while the Knights fell to 5-2 in the league and 8-5 in 2014.

Today also was Senior Day 2014 honoring three outgoing Alma student athletes - GK Stephanie Herman (Bay City/All-Saints Western), D Miranda Anderson (Dalton, MN/Fergus Falls) and M ShaQuice Mullany (Indian River/Indian Lakes).

At halftime, Alma had a come from behind 11-6 advantage over the Knights.

The Scots got on the board first when Fr. M Darby Kahler (Coldwater/Coldwater), assisted by Jr. M Tracy Gallihugh (Lansing/Waverly), scored to make it 1-0 just 1:18 into the contest. However, Calvin struck back just 37 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1. That was just the start of the see sawing that would take place in the first 20 minutes.

Calvin would make it 2-1 before Gallihugh tied it a 2-2 at the 18:31 mark. Two consecutive tallies by the Knights made it 4-2, but the Scots answered with five in a row of their own, four by Gallihugh.

The Knights made it a 7-6 game with 5:42 left in the half before the Scots reeled off four in row to take an 11-6 advantage into the break. The final surge of the frame saw Alma goals by Gallihugh, So. A Ashton Street (Brighton/Brighton), Fr. A Stephanie Chou (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) and Jr. M Sydney Bryce (Lake Orion/Lake Orion).

Calvin came out determined in the second half and scored two goals in the first 4:39 to cut their deficit to 11-8. But, true to today's form, Alma responded by two tallies of their own - Gallihugh at 24:32 and Street at 20:50 to get it back to 13-8.

The back and forth continued through a very entertaining second half and the Scots led by just 15-13 with 7:38 left and then 16-14 when the Knights scored with 1:39 remaining. However, Alma was able to hold of the visitors and walk off the field with the very hard-earned two-goal win.

For the game, Gallihugh finished with eight goals and one assist, while Street had three tallies and one helper. In addition, Chou put in two goals of her own in the victory. Herman earned the win in net by making seven saves in her final regular season home game at Bahlke Field.

Alma finishes the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Indiana to take on Saint Mary's. Start time is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.