Box Score
By Matt McDermott, GoMessiah.com student manager
Grantham, PA — What better way to display greatness than in front of friends and family?
Senior Amanda Naeher thought the same thing.
The Seymour, Conn. native tallied her 100th career goal and Messiah continued its commanding form, shutting down Widener University on Homecoming Saturday in a very one-sided, 7-0 victory at Shoemaker Field.
Naeher recorded career goals 99 and 100 in a four-goal second period, further separating herself as the program's all-time leader in scoring.
The opening possession started with a turnover from Widener — ranked 21st in the latest NSCAA/Hendrickcars.com Top 25 Poll — a credit to Messiah's disrupting pressure. From that point on, it was Messiah's trademark possession game and finishing skills that put goals on the board, and the team's 11th shut out of the year in the books.
The first two scores came off the feet of sophomore Corinne Wulf, created by her speed and ability to play in rhythm with those around her. In the 10th minute, junior Jess Shirk beat two defenders and pinched in on the right side down the end line, finding a wide open Wulf in the middle of the field. Shirk's pass was on point, hitting Wulf in a seam where she finished her eighth goal of the year.
Her second was created by classmate Alex Brandt, who played in a perfectly timed ball in the right side of the 18-yard box, finding Wulf on a diagonal run. Wulf one touched a chip over the diving Widener keeper, just over six minutes after her first.
And when the second group came in as subs in the first half, similar production was created: Junior Lisa Wingard beat her defender on the right side, similar to Shirk, pinching in on the end line and finding freshman Alicia Frey in the seam to finish her ninth goal of the year.
At the half, Messiah (13-0, 3-0) was on cruise control, notching four of its 10 first-half shots on goal and gaining nine corners as well, holding Widener (10-3-1, 1-2-1) to none of either.
The second half was similar to the first, thanks in part to Brandt, whose play in the midfield created quality chances for the entire Falcon team.
In the 52nd minute, senior Joanna Haqq easily beat a Pride defender on the left side of the field with beautiful foot work. Haqq then passed to the corner of the 18-yard box to Brandt, who launched a brilliant shot to the far post, past the Widener keeper for her fifth goal of the year.
Less than five minutes later, it was Brandt serving as playmaker, assisting Naeher's 23rd goal of the year. Brandt went into the box on the left side and hit a hard shot toward goal that was saved by the keeper but to the feet of Amanda Naeher. Naeher seemed off balance and slid into the ball past the keeper at the 56:06 mark.
“Alex did a great job in the middle for us,” Messiah head coach Scott Frey said. “She broke pressure, turned into open space, then found feet or possessed herself.
“I told Boz (assistant coach Todd Balsbaugh) that she had 10 more minutes to do it,” Frey continued, in reference to leaving Naeher on the field. “But she didn't need it.”
After her 23rd goal, Naeher sat at 99 career goals for all of two minutes and five seconds.
Off a pass from the back, Wulf possessed and turned while Naeher made a run into the attacking third. Wulf passed to Naeher, almost missing her target, but the 2008 National Player of the Year and two-time All-American had a great first touch to maintain possession. Naeher then turned on the turbo, beating the last defender with speed creating a one-on-one with the keeper, an opportunity Naeher would not miss.
With a finesse shot to the lower left side of the goal, Naeher notched career goal number 100, solidifying her as one of the best players in NCAA Division III history. Including her latest strike, Naeher is 16th on the NCAA Division III All-Time Career Goals Scored list, a mark held by no other Falcon.
But when asked what this accomplishment meant, Naeher was the first to deflect credit.
“Look at how many goals were assisted,” Naeher said. “This is a team accomplishment, first and fully. This is a culmination of four years playing on the best team, with the best players, for the best coach. I would have never of come close (to 100 goals) without the support of the team.”
“People don't understand how hard she works,” Frey said. “It is exciting for us because she brings passion and energy in everything she does. She embodies everything that we are looking for in a player. But the best thing is, she is selfless. She makes everyone around her better, and her success is because of everyone else, too. She does the work which allows others to work.”
Naeher, who has had a combined 64 goals in the last two seasons, is on pace to have an even better year this year.
“Every year she has gotten better and better,” Frey added. “Her first year, she wasn't ready for the role she has now, but she did great things for us (scoring 12 goals with five assists in 24 games). Coming into pre-season every year, she has gotten into better shape, has gotten a better shot and has bettered herself technically. Now she is the whole package. She is fast, she fights, she can beat you in the air. She gets it done in so many ways. She is a complete player.”
As Naeher was subbed off the field after her goal, she was greeted by Widener head coach Brian Sheehan and his team, who each congratulated her with a smile and handshake on the accomplishment — an extremely classy move from the visitors.
When played continued it was still all Messiah, capped off by an 82nd-minute goal by sophomore Rachel Scheibeler, who two-touched past the keeper and into the goal for her third goal of the season, with 8:21 left to play.
“Overall this was another great effort for everyone,” Frey said. “Wings played great. The back did a fantastic job of getting the ball to feet and not turning the ball over. We were patient in the back. We had a high rate of play. At this point, we know who we are and it is now about making better decisions and making sure we play at a high level every game.”
Messiah will have a quick turnaround, as the squad will travel to Alvernia University Tuesday in looking to maintain its perfect Commonwealth Conference record.
Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.
