The Alma College Women's Soccer team wrapped up its season-opening tournament today by facing off against #7 Wheaton College in the final game of the 2014 Bob Baptista Invitational in Wheation, Ill. Despite early pressure and a stellar defensive effort in the first half, the Scots fell to the host Thunder 6-2 on Saturday evening.

With the loss, Alma drops to 1-1 this season, while Wheaton improves to 2-0 in 2014.

The Scots got on the attack early with Jr. M Agatha Weddle (White Lake/Walled Lake Northern) recording the first shot of the game at 1:48. So. M Jessica Burg (Grand Ledge/Grand Ledge) had an opportunity at 5:10, but her shot traveled wide right. 

At 7:34, So. M Macayla Greiner (Hart/Hart) recorded the first shot on goal for Alma, but her approach was brought in by Thunder goalie Abbey Fuster.

Wheaton got on the board first with a goal in front of the net at 11:30. 

Both teams would increase the defensive intensity for the next 15 minutes before Greiner would notch her first goal of the season to tie the score 1-1 at 27:07.

The Thunder followed with their second goal of the half at 29:17 to take the 2-1 advantage midway through the first half.

Alma would manage just one shot for the remainder of the half, and heading into the halftime the score showed 2-1 Wheaton.

The Thunder opened the second half with a 7-3 shot advantage before notching a score at 60:09 to extend the lead to 3-1.

Wheaton collected two more goals to stretch its advantage to 5-1 before Jr. F Kelly Wilson (Midland/Dow) found the back of the net off an assist by Sr. M/F Kailey Vlug (Coopersville/Coopersville) to cut the Alma deficit to 5-2 with just under ten minutes remaining in the second half.

The Thunder would add one more goal with less than a minute remaining to take the 6-2 victory at Joe Bean Stadium.

The Scots finished the match with 22 shots (nine on goal), compared to 35 shots (21 on goal) for Wheaton. Wilson led Alma with four shots and a goal while Greiner added three shots and a score. Vlug collected the lone assist for the Scots on Saturday.

Alma committed just four fouls to the Thunder's eight, while the home team held the advantage in corner kicks 7-3.

In goal, Fr. GK Jenna Fassbender (Mattawan/Mattawan) got the loss after collecting 15 saves in 90:00 minutes played. 

The Scots return home on Friday, September 5, welcoming Aurora Univeristy (Ill.) to Scotland Yard for a match at 3:00 p.m.

Scots starting line-up versus Wheaton