XML Box Score Geneva, NY – Messiah College saw their season come to a sudden, painful end on Saturday as Ithaca's Megan Nash put through an overtime game-winner to lift the Bombers to a 1-0 win. The win sent Ithaca to the Sectional Finals where they will face host William Smith; Messiah ends their season at 20-3-1 and falls short of winning their third-straight NCAA Championship.
Nash's goal came in the 96th minute on just the second shot on goal by the Bombers. Pushing into their attacking third against the run of play Ithaca sent a through ball over the 18-yard line to the middle of the box. Holly Niemiec ran onto the ball in an attempt to launch a shot before actually overrunning the ball about 10 yards off the right post. Unable to turn back to the goal she quickly dropped back to Nash on her run from the right side for a hard strike across the goal to the left side.
The goal set off a celebration for the Bombers while Messiah stood in shock at the sudden finish. The result seemed even harsher considering the Falcons' many near misses at scoring throughout the game.
The Falcons finished with a 21-6 edge on shots, with seven of their attempts saved by Ithaca keeper Beth Coppolecchia. They also outcornered Ithaca 8-4. Nevertheless, they were unable to tally for just the third time this season.
The Bombers, meanwhile moves one win shy of their seventh Final Four appearance in program history.
For most of regulation Messiah controlled territory. They earned their first corner of the game after just 1:39 of play and minutes later saw a shot by
Nikki Elsaesser blocked near the left post. In the 10th minute
Holly Burgard also came close to scoring after being played behind the defense on the right side. But she was unable to get off a shot as the Ithaca defense recovered to tackle near the six-yard line.
Messiah continued to create opportunities throughout the half, and they entered the break with a 7-3 advantage in shots (5-1 edge in shots on goal).
In the second-half Messiah launched another 14 shots and appeared poised to take a lead on more than one occasion. In the 49th minute Messiah played through the defense on the right side and moved the ball quickly across the penalty box to
Emily Schneider on the left side. She hesitated on an open look at the goal before firing a shot into Coppolecchia's chest.
Minutes later a Messiah corner was served short to
Corinne Wulf near the right post where her quick shot was blocked on the goal line. It was one of three shots blocked by the Ithaca defense—all inside 10 yards—in a 40-second span. Soon after
Emily Schneider—on a similar play to that of earlier in the half—had another close shot saved near the left post in the 60th minute.
In hindsight the Falcons opportunities, though indicative of the Falcons' control and momentum, were wasted. Still, Ithaca was unable to generate any true threat other than a harmless, wide shot by Nash in the 72nd minute.
Messiah managed two more great chances in the final 10 minutes, one each by Wulf (blocked) and
Nikki Elsaesser (saved) that were turned away by Ithaca.
In the extra session Messiah attempted two shots but Ithaca's attack produced the best chances. Moments before Nash's winner the Bombers almost scored on a shot by Kelsey King on the left side. Her shot came after she got around the defense to cut into the box, forcing
Audra Larson to race out from the post. King's shot went past Larson on the ground before
Ali Rogers cleared it off the goal line to momentarily save the game.
Three minutes after that attempt, however, the Bombers found a quick attack and Nash delivered the game-winning tally.
In addition to ending the Falcons' bid for a third-straight national title the loss also keeps Messiah from advancing to either their 10th-straight Sectional Final or Final Four.
As mentioned, Ithaca will play William Smith on Sunday with the winner advancing to the Final Four. The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
