Friday afternoon saw the Alma College Women's Soccer team host Aurora University in a non-league match at Scotland Yard. After trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Scots scored the game-tying goal late in regulation and then scored the winner a little more than four minutes into the first extra period.

"The first half was not the performance of a standard we expect at Alma," said new Scots Head Coach Matt Saul. "Again, I was very happy with the response at halftime. We were unfortunate to be a goal down for as long as we were. We showed great pride and relentlessness in the second half, and in the end, I think the win went to the right team.

"Credit to Aurora and particularly their goalkeeper, for giving us a tough test. This gives us great momentum moving into conference play on Monday at Calvin."

Sr. M/F Kailey Vlug (Coopersville/Coopersville) connected on a penalty shot with 3:49 remaining in regulation and then Fr. F Whitnee Foote (Mt. Pleasant/Mt. Pleasant) found the back of the net just 5:42 into overtime to seal the win. The 2-1 victory improved Alma's overall 2014 record to 2-1, while the visiting Spartans fell to 1-2 on the season.

After the Scots had a couple of early chances in the opening half, the visiting Spartans took advantage of their first opportunity when Nicci Bermudes came in alone on Alma Fr. GK Jenna Fassbender (Mattawan/Mattawan) and knocked it home for a goal at 5:11.

Both teams had sustained efforts in the offensive side during the remainder of the first 45 minutes but there would be no more scoring. The Scots finished the half with seven total shots and three on goal, while the Spartans got five shots off with four of them on the net. Each team had two corner kicks in the frame.

Jr. D Katy Stephan (Lansing/DeWitt), Jr. F Kelly Wilson (Midland/Dow) and Foote had Alma's shots on goal while Wilson got two total shots off. Fassbender notched three saves in net.

Alma carried play throughout the second half but could not score. Close calls and errant shots were the norm and it started to look a bit grim as time wound down. However, at the 86:11 mark of the game, the Aurora committed a foul inside the goal area giving the Scots a penalty shot. Vlug calmly too aim to the left corner of the net (as she faced it) and drilled it past the goalkeeper to tie the game at 1-1.

The overtime period saw Alma again dominate ball possession and Foote was able to secure the improbable comeback victory just over five minutes into the OT. Those dramatics gave the Scots the win in the season-opener and put a happy ending to new Saul's debut on the Scotland Yard pitch.

The Scots took 24 total shots towards the Aurora net and nine of them landed on goal. Wilson, Weddle and Foote each had two shots on goal, while Foote and Sr. F Mackenzie Smith (Saginaw/Nouvel) paced the squad with four total shots.

In net, Fassbender faced 14 total shots and recorded eight saves to record the victory. The Spartans finished with five corner kicks and the Scots had six.

Alma's next match is at MIAA foe Calvin College on Monday afternoon. Start time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Alma starting lineup versus Aurora on Friday