The Alma College Women's Lacrosse team opened conference play on Wednesday, welcoming the Thunder of Trine University (IN) for a game at Bahlke Field. Led by a seven-goal performance by Jr. MF Tracy Gallihugh (Lansing/Waverly), the Scots defeated the Thunder 18-11 at home.

With the win, Alma improves to 2-7 on the year and are now 1-0 in league play. Conversely, Trine drops to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the MIAA with the loss.

Gallihugh got things rolling at Bahlke Field, putting one in the back of the net unassisted to put the Scots up 1-0 at 26:57.

The Thunder would tie the score moments later, before Sr. MF Sydney Bryce (Lake Orion/Lake Orion) rang the bell off an assist by So. A Abby Porter (Rochester/Stoney Creek) to give Alma the lead back 2-1 with just over 24 minutes to play in the half.

In the next five minutes, Gallihugh would collect two more goals and Bryce would find the back of the net again, stretching the Alma advantage to 5-1 at 17:42.

The visitors would score three-unanswered goals to get within one, 5-4, with just over 13 minutes left to go.

Fr. A Monica Bussell (Lowell/Lowell) notched her first-career goal at 11:54 to put the Scots up 6-4.

With the score at 6-5, Gallihugh would collect her fourth goal of the half to give Alma the 7-5 lead at 8:50.

Trine would put one on the board at 4:47, before So. MF Darby Kahler (Coldwater/Coldwater) and Gallihugh would each record a goal to bring the score to 9-6 with just under three to play.

Following a Thunder goal, Jr. A Ashton Street (Brighton/Brighton) would end the half with a free position goal to give Alma the 10-7 advantage after the first 30 minutes.

The Scots started the second half on a tear, scoring six-unanswered goals to extend the lead to 16-7 with 21:40 to play.

Trine answered with three-straight goals to make the score 16-10 at 6:17.

Gallihugh and Street would each get another goal to stretch the advantage to 18-10 with just over two minutes remaining.

The Thunder would put one more on the board late, but the Scots would hold on for the impressive 18-11 victory at home.

Gallihugh led all players with seven goals and eight draw controls. Street and Bryce both recorded three goals, with Street scooping up a team-high five groundballs.

In goal, So. GK Miranda Kruse (Ann Arbor/Ann Arbor Pioneer) improved to 2-7 on the year after making six saves on 17 shots.

The Scots forced 27 turnovers and bested the Thunder in groundballs 23-13.

Alma continues its homestand on Saturday, April 4, welcoming Hope College to Bahlke Field for a game at 4:00 p.m.