On a warm, breezy Saturday afternoon at Scotland Yard, the Alma College Women's Soccer team hosted MIAA foe Olivet College in a key early season matchup. A defensive battle throughout, Alma finally scored in the 87th minute to earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

With the win, the Scots are now 5-2 overall on the season and 3-1 in the league, while the Comets fell to 2-4-1 in 2014 and 0-4 in the MIAA.

"Olivet gave us a very tough game, as they were compact and organized and found ways to upset our rhythm," said Scots Head Coach Matt Saul. "Ultimately a piece of individual brilliance by Allysen Neumann gave us the three points. We will need to improve our game for the challenge Hope will bring on Wednesday."

The Scots had distinct advantage throughout the game in total shots and chances, but they don't give three points for those statistics. In the first 45 minutes, Alma recorded 14 total shots with just two on goal, while Olivet attempted three total and had one go on net. Alma also had the advantage in corner kicks by a margin of four to zero.

The second half was more of the same with the playing field definitely tilted in the direction the Olivet goalkeeper. However, goals were hard to come by and the game was very much in doubt until the very end.

Finally, at the 86:02 mark, the Scots were able to penetrate the net and take advantage of a scoring chance. Jr. MF Allysen Neumann (Greenville/Greenville) came in on the attack and launced a laser of a shot from the top of the 18. The ball hit the top crossbar and bounced on the ground and into the net for the 1-0 Scots lead.

At that point, the Scots were able to keep the ball away from the Comets for the most part and closed out the victory without any major Oliver chances.

In the final 45 minutes, the Scots had 14 more total shots (28 for the game) and three on goal (six total). Olivet notched two total shots in the second half (five overall) and had one on goal, finishing with two in the contest.

Fr. GK Jenna Fassbender (Mattawan/Mattawan) earned the second shutout of her career by stopping both shots that made it to her. Sr. MF Kailey Vlug (Coopersville/Coopersville) paced the Scots with seven total shots with one going on goal. Seven other players each recorded two total shots but nobody was able to get more than one on net.

The Scots will host Hope College on Wednesday afternoon in a battle of teams with title aspirations. The match is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Scotland Yard.