ALMA, Mich. – In the final ten minutes of action, the Alma College women's soccer team was able to pull away from the Madonna University Crusaders for a one goal victory. The Scots held the lead early in the game and tied it back up late in the first before coming away with a 3-2 victory to move to 5-1 on the season.
Alma opened the scoring in the first five minutes as Emily Ahearn was able to power past the defense alone with the goalkeeper and tucked one in the back of the net to put Alma up and on top early. Madonna would settle in and create a back-and-forth contest for some time until they were able to break the ice and tie the game at one apiece after testing Mya Pofahl early on. The Crusaders kept the pressure on and were able to strike again just seven minutes later to take their first lead of the game. Alma refocused and upped the pressure for the next ten minutes making sure they wouldn't let prime opportunities slip by them and were able to capitalize around the 37-minute mark to tie the game. Ivy Beall was able to find Ava Hoffman hustling towards the goal and set her up for a shot that found the pay dirt and tie the game with just under 8 minutes left in the half.
Both defenses were able to make adjustments and find their groove in the second half as scoring became more of a premium as scoring chances were scattered. A competitive half saw both teams battling for every minute looking for that next big moment to strike. Brenna Rohloff sent a ball into the box from the mid line that was up near the crossbar, where the goalkeeper got a hand on it though it was not secured and found the turf again where Aaleyah Marcellus came crashing in and tapped over the goal line for the Scots game-winning goal, with just over nine minutes left to play. Madonna would put on the pressure in the final ten, but Alma would not budge and came away with a hard-fought victory on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Ahearn and Hoffman led the Scots in shots on goal with two each as four others all recorded one in the contest as well. Pofahl stood tall in net making five saves throughout the contest for the win. Both teams ended the game with 10 total shots, eight of which being on net along with four corner kicks apiece as well.
Alma will now hit the road once again for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, September 17th, for a head-to-head with Heidelberg University. First whistle is set for 4:00 PM in Tiffin, Ohio.
