Men’s lacrosse: Olivet loses to Alma, 8-7

ALMA, Mich. – The Olivet College men's lacrosse team lost a close game, 8-7, to Alma College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest today at Bahlke Field in Alma.

In the first quarter, Alma scored the only goal 30 seconds into it. Junior James Collins tied the game off a feed from sophomore Shane Prunty at the 13:45 mark of the second quarter. The Scots answered 10 seconds later to take the lead back and then 23 seconds later to go up 3-1.

The Comets responded with three straight goals – one each for Prunty, junior Jack Ranson and Collins – to gain a 4-3 lead. Alma finished the quarter on a 4-0 run to take a 7-4 lead at halftime.

Ranson netted the only goal in the third quarter to make the 7-5 entering the final 15 minutes of play. Alma re-gained its three-goal cushion, 8-5, with a goal at the 9:21 mark of the fourth quarter. Sophomore Logan Krieger and Collins scored goals to make the score 8-7 with 53 seconds left. Olivet was not able to score the game-tying goal in the final seconds.

For the game, the Comets had 30 shots to 45 for Alma. Collins topped Olivet with four points on three goals and one assist. Prunty had three points (one goal and two assists), while Ranson had two goals. Sophomore Tyler Polendo had two assists, while Krieger also had two points (one goal and one assist). Junior Ryan McGee played all 60 minutes in goal and collected 21 saves.

The Comets host Hope College next Tuesday, April 14. Opening face-off at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet is scheduled for 7 p.m.