Box Score Alma, MI – Alma Women's Soccer hosted Elmhurst on Saturday, September 3 at Scotland Yard. The Scots were dominant as they claimed victory in their season opener by a score of 2-0.
The hosts took some time to adjust to Elmhurst's style of play, but once they did the floodgates opened. Alma dominated possession and put relentless pressure on the Bluejays defense, outshooting Elmhurst 10-3 in the first half.
Paige Kohler finally broke through in the 16th minute for Alma. She took a pass from Lily Stephan and sent a shot off the left post and into the back of the net to give the Scots a 1-0 lead. The hosts would keep up the pressure, and with under a minute to play in the first half the offense would strike again. Hannah Meyer stole the ball from a Bluejay defender and sent a pass to Madelaine McShannock, who would strike one from the left side of the goal and send it back into the twine. The 2-0 lead would see the Scots all the way through to the end of the game.
Alma would keep up the pressure and possession in the 2nd half. The Scots hammered Elmhurst with another 13 shots, but could not find the back of the net. The offense was firing at will, outshooting Elmhurst 23-4 on the day. Alma put 11 shots on goal, while the Scots defense held the Bluejay offense without a shot on target for the entire game.
In goal, Allison Bush picked up the win improving to 1-0, and a shutout on the day, her first of the season. MaKenzee Velchek picked up the loss, dropping to 0-2 on the season. She stopped 8 of 10 shots she faced before moving into the field in the late stages of the contest. She was replaced in net by Aleksia Vranjes, who stopped the lone shot she faced.
Head Coach Kate Dylag had high praise for her team, "Today was a great team win. I was proud of the teams effort and energy. It was nice to see them play as a unit with fearless energy."
Alma starts the season off 1-0, and looks to pick up their second win on the season tomorrow against Carthage.
