ALBION, Mich. – Whether the pressure of playing its first-ever Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association contest caused Albion College to get off to a slow start Thursday night is unknown. What is known is Ashley Glenn scored six times, including two during a key second half rally, as Albion earned a 13-9 victory over Olivet College at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium.
"Ashley's status as our team's leading scorer is well known and our opponents are trying to shut her off," Albion Coach Shanta Loecker said. "She worked hard for those goals tonight."
Albion ripped off the first six goals of the second half to break a match that was tied, 6-6, at halftime. Kadie Koolwick, Mackenzie Novak, and Glenn all scored twice during the rally.
"We were quiet at the beginning of the match," Loecker said. "We were a little passive. We did a good job of getting fired up at halftime. They started talking more on the field. The energy came from within. They were calling every loose ball. When the communication improved they started to hustle more."
Glenn scored twice in a 2 ½ minute span of the first half and it looked as if Albion would pull away early as it took a 3-1 lead. Olivet responded with three goals from Geri Merrell and a goal from Mimi Garza and the Comets led 5-3 midway through the first half.
Koolwick, Julie Wood, and Glenn scored late in the first half as Albion forged a tie at halftime.
Albion goalkeeper Victoria Della Pia produced one of her best performances, stopping seven shots.
Albion, 4-3 against varsity rivals this season, plays at home at 1 p.m. Sunday against the University of Mount Union.