ALMA, Mich. – Honoring their seniors on a cool Saturday afternoon, the Alma College men's lacrosse team hosted Hiram College for Senior Day on Bahlke Field. The Scots needed extra time but got the deal done with an 8-7 win over the Terriers to move to 3-5 on the season.
Alma opened the scoring for the game with a goal from Nolan O'Dea, assisted by senior Patrick Hodges two minutes into the play, giving the Scots the first lead. Hiram came back with a tally of their own eight minutes later in play, tying the game at one apiece. Alma regained the lead on a Blake Swiger cut to the net that led to a goal, the first in his career for the senior. Alma added to their lead with another tally from O'Dea, this time assisted by Lucas Storm to give Alma a 3-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Hodges extended the Scots lead in the second quarter a minute and a half in as he darted towards the net and found the twine, scoring Alma's fourth goal compared to the Terriers one. Hiram cut the deficit down to two with a man-up goal with just over a minute left in the half, sending both teams into the break with a 4-2 score.
Scoring his second of the day, Hodges added another tally three minutes into play in the third quarter, putting the Scots back up by three. Five minutes later, Storm wrapped around from the side of the net to fire the ball past the keeper for the Scots sixth of the game, giving Alma insurance as the Scots started to pull away. Hiram scored the final two goals of the quarter, both on the back end of the time to bring the Terriers back within two with 15 left to play.
The Terriers added another goal to start the final frame to bring the score within one at 6-5, almost erasing the insurance goals and lead the Scots built earlier in the game. Cuyler Fielhauer made his presence known with a big goal in the moment to put Alma back up two with five minutes left to play in regulation, hoping to deflate the Terriers hopes and chances. Hiram didn't back down and battled back as the visitors scored with just over two minutes left to bring themselves within one again, followed by a goal just 30 seconds later to tie the game with a minute left to play.
After both teams regrouped after the fourth quarter buzzer, the teams took to the field again for the first overtime period. Hiram won the initial draw and put a shot on net instantly that was saved by Preston Stelljes. Alma found the ground ball and darted down the field to take their try at offense. After a couple shots and a time out, the Scots found the game-winning goal off the stick of Fielhauer, giving Alma a senior day win.
Hodges led the Scots in points with three coming off two goals and an assist. Storm, Fielhauer and O'Dea each added two apiece as well in the game. Brenner Quick collected four ground balls for the team lead while Hodges and Caleb Morgan added three caused turnovers each. Stelljes made 12 saves in 62 minutes of play while collecting the win.
Alma will wrap up non-conference play with a matchup against Hanover College on Friday, March 27th, in Hanover, Indiana. Faceoff for the contest is slated for 4:00 PM.
