ANGOLA, Ind. - It was a back-and-forth battle in the truest sense as the Trine University men’s soccer team fell to Alma 4-3 in their MIAA conference opener. After Alma recorded the first goal, the two teams traded goals until the Scots scored the game-winner with just under 3 minutes to play. The loss drops the Thunder to 2-3-1 on the season.

The Scots got on the board first scoring off a long throw in just over 15 minutes into the game. Trine freshman Bill Wilson (Mason, Mich./Mason) darted through the Alma defense and ripped a shot from just inside the box scoring 14 minutes later for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

From there the goals came quickly as Alma regained the lead at the 33:15 mark. Their lead wouldn’t last long though as senior Samuel Seibolt (Olathe, Kan./DeSoto) knotted the game at 2-2 with 7:36 left in the half when his initial shot got deflected but Seibolt was able to bury the rebound into the lower right corner.

Trine out-shot the Scots 10-6 in the first half.

Alma broke the tie at 54:05 of the second half as the initial shot was saved by Trine junior goalie Chris Stewart (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) but the rebound found the back of the net.

It was take more than 20 minutes for the Thunder to answer back, when sophomore Nick Lang (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral) netted his first of the season on a long shot from the far right wing to the far post on an assist from Seibolt.

Both teams would have opportunities to notch the game-winner in the final minutes, but it would be the Scots who found the net as they ripped a shot from beyond the box with just 2:53 to play in the game. The Thunder would be unable to get another shot off in the remaining time.

Stewart finished the night with four saves in net for the Thunder.

In all, eight different Trine players had a shot on goal, with Seibolt the only player with two. For the match, Trine out-shot the Scots 16-10.

Trine now takes some time off to regroup before they host defending conference champion Calvin College on Sep. 25 at 4 p.m.