Box Score By Corey Wheeler, '18
ALBION, Mich. – Struggling to maintain possession for much of the first half, Albion College struck for two goals in the final minute of the half propelling them to a 13-7 victory over Alma College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) women's lacrosse contest.
With the victory, Albion earned its first-ever victory over Alma and handed the Scots their first loss in conference play this season. Albion improved to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, setting up a Saturday showdown with a Calvin College squad that also boasts a 2-0 record against MIAA rivals.
"We put a lot of emphasis on this whole idea of setting a tone," Coach Shanta Loecker said after the win. "The idea is no matter where you are at in the game set a tone, and at that point in the game we kept that mentality and set a tone.
"(Saturday will be) a big game and we are just taking it one day at a time focusing on our game plan and playing our best game," Loecker added. "They are definitely a strong opponent, but we aren't talking about it all because we are more focused on being fundamentally and mentally ready in practice."
Albion entered the contest ranked 28th in NCAA Division III scoring defense, allowing a shade more than 7 ½ goals per contest. Alma had scored 30 goals in securing victories in its first two league contests, but the Scots were limited to three goals in the first half and four more in the second.
The Britons held Tracy Gallihugh, the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week and the league's leading goal scorer, to only one goal on the night. Kit Maher was assigned with keeping her in check and did not leave her side the entire night.
"It's no secret she [Tracey Gallihugh] is one of the best players in the conference. She is dynamic, fast, and has great endurance," Loecker said. "So we had Kit Maher on her the entire game and Kit is also fast and athletic, her job was to not let her get the ball. I give credit to Kit for staying discipline and accepting the challenge."
With Ashley Glenn, Albion's goal scoring leader, nursing an injury on the sideline, captains Julie Wood and Mackenzie Novak stepped up. Novak produced six points on four goals and two assists. Novak struck for three of her goals as Albion sprinted out to a 3-0 lead eight minutes into the contest. Wood contributed another four goals and an assist, giving her 22 goals on the season.
"They [Macknazie Novak and Julie Wood] played huge for us, they accepted and embraced having to score. This is the most confident I ever seen Julie play and the two of them played a key role for our team being patient and pushing at the right time," Loecker said.
Maher chipped in with two goals for Albion in the victory and goalkeeper Victoria Della Pia stopped nine shots to help the Albion defense.
