HANOVER, Ind. – Wrapping up their non-conference section of the schedule, the Alma College men's lacrosse team traveled to southern Indiana to face off against the Hanover College Panthers. The Scots hung around with the Panthers, but a late push would not be enough as the Scots were topped by a final score of 17-11.
Hanover jumped out to an early two goal lead before the Scots were able to break through on a goal from Brady Searer with an assist from David Meyer. The Panthers notched one more in the quarter to bring the score to 3-1 at the end of the first 15 minutes.
Meyer scored on the opening faceoff off the second quarter to bring the Scots within one, looking to get the offense clicking. Searer added his second of the game just shortly after on a pass from Nolan O'Dea to tie the game and continue to keep the Scots momentum. Hanover would add another to their total several minutes later to regain the lead. Alma kept their sights on the Panthers as they were able to tie the game just a short time after as O'Dea scored in a man-up opportunity. Hanover then exploded on offense for four unanswered goals to head into the halftime break leading 8-4 over the visiting Scots.
The Panthers tallied another six goals early in the third quarter to pull away from the Scots before Alma was able to add another score on offense. Lucas Storm reignited the Scots offense with a goal in the waning minutes third quarter, bringing life back into the offense before the fourth. Hanover would take a 15-5 lead into the final frame.
The fourth quarter proved to be the Scots as the visitors outscored the Panthers 6-2. The Scots first goal of the quarter came from Cuyler Fielhauer, bringing the deficit back to single digits. A couple minutes later, Meyer scored his second of the game, followed by another Fielhauer goal just seconds later on the following faceoff, bringing the Scots within seven. Two minutes later, Storm collected his second of the game with an assist from Searer, pulling within six. Alma cut the original deficit in half with Fielhauer's third of the game for his third hat-trick of the season, with just over three minutes remaining in the game. O'Dea would score the final Scots goal on a pass from Meyer, but the Panthers would hold on and outscore Alma in the final minutes for a 17-11 win, sending the Scots back to Michigan for conference play.
Meyer was the points leader for the Scots on two goals and two assists. Fielhauer followed behind with three goals while Searer and O'Dea each had two goals and an assist. Storm added a goal while Curtis Pleiness added an assist. Jackson Pollard led the team with seven ground balls and Caleb morgan led the defense with three caused turnovers. Preston Stelljes played 39 minutes of competition making seven saves while Gaven Atkins finished the last 21 minutes collecting five saves.
Alma will now return to conference play as they will look to host Albion College on Wednesday, April 1st. Opening faceoff is slated for 4:00 PM on Bahlke Field.
