Box Score ALMA, Mich. – Albion College played the role of the weary travelers for a good stretch of the first half of its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener at Alma College.
Playing the final of five road matches to open the season – a stretch that has taken the Britons to northeast Ohio, Wisconsin, and mid-Michigan – Albion was trailing 1-0 and chasing Alma players all over the pitch for the final 10 minutes of the first half.
First-year forward Parker Brown changed the flow of the match with his physical effort, and the Britons fed off that to rally for a 2-1 victory.
Albion, now 4-0-1 overall and ranked 10th in the Central Region, is off to its best start since 2005 when the team won its first five contests.
"We survived the last 10 minutes of the first half," Albion Coach Wytse Molenaar said. "Alma won every 50/50 ball. We dealt with it and changed the momentum in the second half."
Joel Zaretti scored the equalizer with 27 minutes left in regulation. It was the first goal of Zaretti's collegiate career. Kyle Bourlier dished out the assist, giving him a point in Albion's last three contests.
Christian Hurtado produced his third goal of the season, finishing a pass from Ian Yetzke, with less than seven minutes left. Hurtado moved into a tie with Kay Whitmore for the team lead with three goals so far this season.
While Albion struggled to get the ball past midfield early on, the back line featuring Sam Coleman, Jonathon Daily, Kyle Johnson, and Mitchell Palmer protected first-year goalkeeper Maximilian Loria. Loria faced only two shots on goal in the contest.
Albion will play its next two contests at home. The Britons have a 4:30 p.m. Saturday match against Trine University and a Sept. 19 date against Hope College.
Get more information on the team by following @AlbionMSoccer on Twitter. General athletics news can be found @gobrits on Twitter and Albion College Athletics on Facebook
