Grantham, PA — A purposeful second half led to an explosion of goals for the second-ranked Messiah College women's soccer team Saturday afternoon, as the Falcons rang up five second-period scores in a 7-0 win over visiting University of Mary Washington at Shoemaker Field.
The win got Messiah (5-0-1) back on the upbeat side of things following a scoreless double-overtime tie at 15th-ranked Johns Hopkins University Wednesday night, a result the Falcons looked eager to put out of their minds Saturday. After an early surge from Mary Washington (2-1-2) was subdued, Messiah found its collective groove, providing assists for five of its scores while pummeling the stat sheet for a 26-5 difference in total shots.
“We got better as the day wore on, and this was a good effort through our whole group,” said Scott Frey, Messiah head coach. “The girls that came in off the bench for us were tremendous today. They gave us fresh legs and really got some good things done. Our depth was a major factor today.”
Despite the lopsided numbers, it was Mary Washington that appeared in control early, collecting quality possession at the outset and actually accounting for the match's first shot on goal.
That all seemed to change after 10 minutes had elapsed, however, as Messiah began to dictate the pace — and place — of play for the remainder of the afternoon. The Falcons finally broke into the scoring column at the 28:48 mark, courtesy of a somewhat bizarre sequence. Sophomore Erin Hench knocked heads with an Eagles' defender while going for a 50/50 ball just outside Mary Washington's 18-yard box, sending both players crumpled to the turf.
As the remainder of Mary Washington's defense took pause, junior Amanda Naeher picked up the loose ball, dribbled into the box and rifled a shot past Eagles' keeper Tina Brehm, all while Hench lay on the turf alongside her counterpart.
Both would walk off the field under their own power and return to play in the second half, but the complexion of the game had changed permanently.
“That was a break our way,” Frey said of the injury-turned-score for his club. “It was the right call (to play on), and Mandy was there for us. That's just soccer, and it was one of those things that just went our way.”
It did not take long for Frey's club to capitalize on the percolating momentum, as sophomore Katie Hoffsmith teamed with classmate Sarah Henningsen for a gorgeous goal less than six minutes later. Claiming possession just outside the Eagles' 18, Hoffsmith played a ball to Henningsen's feet, only for Henningsen to return a one-touch back to Hoffsmith.
Now just yards outside of the frame, Hoffsmith blasted a low liner to the far post, making the score 2-0 at the 34:34 mark.
“We played alright early on, but we just didn't play with a whole lot of purpose,” Frey said. “We talked about some ideas at halftime and I thought we made some great adjustments. We began to have a purpose in the runs we made and the balls we played. There was much more purpose to what we were doing.”
That improved intent was evident from the opening tap in the second period, as senior Rachel Horning headed a cross that went just wide only a few minutes in. Messiah's attack would not lessen, however, as Naeher tacked on her second score of the game — and team-leading eighth of the season — at the 56:22 mark.
Horning provided the assist for Messiah's next goal, crossing a beautiful ball that was headed violently into the back of the net by freshman Rachel Loya at the 63:38 mark, her first collegiate score.
It did not take long to notch her second, as at the 66:10 mark Loya was at it again. This time, freshman Lisa Wingard sent a serve into the box from the right flank, an effort that was softly touched to Loya's feet from Hench. Loya rocketed a blast that had no chance of being saved by an Eagles' defender, making the score 5-0 Messiah.
“Rachel Loya has continued to improve,” Frey said. “Her first goal tonight from Rachel (Horning) was just a great goal.”
First-year Olivia Scott finalized Messiah's scoring at the 70:50 and 75:30 marks, respectively, weaving her way in for an unassisted first goal and taking yet another beautiful cross from Wingard for her second. Wingard finished with a team-high two assists.
“It really was a team effort today,” Frey said. “So many people did some really good things. I thought that (freshman) Leah Sipe continues to play well, and Lisa Wingard was very effective on the flank without question. Katie Hoffsmith was everywhere, and really provided us with some spunk. It was good to get back on track.”
The Falcons will return to Shoemaker Wednesday evening, when the team will host Muhlenberg College. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
