ALMA, Mich. - Saint Mary's College Lacrosse defeated Alma College, 11-8, on Saturday with the help of a big second half. The Belles improve to 4-6 (1-1 MIAA) while the Scots fall to 4-5 (0-3 MIAA).

Alma would get on the board early, scoring three goals in the first 16 minutes of the game, taking an early 3-0 lead. Senior Valentina Rubio (Wayland, MI) would get Saint Mary's on the board with less than 30 seconds to play in the half, cutting the lead to just two. Freshman Piper Downey (Northbrook, IL) would get the assist on the play.

Sophomore Rachel Speckhard (Munster, IN) would bring the Belles within one as she would find the back of the net just over a minute into the half off an assist from freshman Annabelle Spruill (Brookhaven, GA). The Scots would answer back before the Belles would get back-to-back goals from Speckhard, assisted by sophomore Lana Skibins (Granger, IN), and from junior Mary Grace Heekin (Fayetteville, GA) on a free position shot to tie the game at four. Alma would score back-to-back goals of their own before Saint Mary's would come out and close the quarter with goals from Downey on a free position shot and a second goal from Heekin, assisted by Speckhard, to head into the final 15 minutes tied at six all.

While the Scots would take the lead back with the first goal of the quarter, the Belles would stay red hot offensively, scoring four straight goals to take and extend their lead. Sophomore Kathryn Kalinowski (Atlanta, GA) would get on the board from a free position shot before Speckhard would secure her third hat trick of the season by scoring back-to-back goals, both assisted by Skibins. They wouldn't stop there as sophomore Cate Krema (Western Springs, IL) would get on the scoresheet as well. Alma tried to mount a comeback with another goal but Skibins would shut it down with a goal just under two minutes to play.

Speckhard would lead the way for Saint Mary's, scoring four goals while also adding an assist. Heekin would add two goals of her own while Skibins, Krema, Rubio, Kalinowski, and Downey would all add a goal of their own. Skibins would lead the game with three assists, Spruill and Downey would each add one.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Zmudzinski (Granger, IN) would earn her fourth win of the season by making 11 saves on 19 shots faced, her fourth time recording double-digit saves this season.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's continues their short road trip on Tuesday, April 8, as they travel to Adrian College for a matchup at 4pm. The Belles then return home for an in-state conference battle with Trine University on Saturday, April 12, at 1pm at the Purcell Athletic Fields. This will also be the Belles annual Morgan's Message game.