Box Score
Grantham, PA — On a blustery Halloween eve at Shoemaker Field, the question begged consideration:
Were there more bags of marshmallows in Messiah's stands, or more Elizabethtown Blue Jays in Messiah's 18-yard box?
The visiting rivals employed a stout defensive game plan, but couldn't come away with a season-saving victory, as the top-ranked Falcons broke through the crowded backfield for a 2-0 win Saturday, concluding Commonwealth Conference regular-season play in the annual 'Marshmallow Bowl' — a long-standing rivalry game between the neighboring institutions.
The win gave Messiah (17-0, 7-0) its seventh straight flawless record in regular-season league play, while Elizabethtown (8-7-3, 2-3-2) was bumped out of conference tournament inclusion with the defeat.
The top-seeded Falcons will now host Alvernia University in one of the Commonwealth Conference semi-finals Wednesday, at a time to be announced.
“Elizabethtown came in here tonight with a definite defensive mindset,” said Scott Frey, Messiah head coach. “They were the first team we've faced this year that approached us that way. It was important for us to solve it, as we've got to be ready if we see it again.”
Messiah was aided greatly by a goal in the 14th minute, when sophomore Alex Brandt came across the top of the Blue Jays' 18-yard box from the right side and found junior Leah Sipe. Sipe took a touch and lofted a fluttering ball just past E'Town sophomore goalkeeper Jess Manchak, putting the visitors in an early bind.
“I can't overstate how huge it was to get that early goal,” Frey said. “There wasn't a lot of space (in the attacking third). You can't fault Elizabethtown's plan, and they did it very well.”
Effective, the Blue Jays were. Messiah finished with a 12-0 advantage in first-half shots but could only draw a pair of first-period corner kicks against the packed-in defense, taking its 1-0 lead into the intermission.
The second half produced more of the same strategy, as the Falcons repeatedly swung the ball around the perimeter of the field, looking to connect with players making runs.
Unfortunately, with the mass of humanity in front of the E'Town cage, pushing forward became a chore.
“It was pretty difficult for us to find players (up front), simply because there were so many blue jerseys,” Frey said. “I thought we did a good job of staying patient, though. We didn't lose focus, and I thought we showed discipline in a lot of areas.”
When the Falcons were able to find what little landscape that was available, shots were usually blocked by a bevy of E'Town defenders, or pushed off frame. Perhaps Messiah's first true chance of adding to its 1-0 lead came in the game's 71st minute, when freshman Alicia Frey sliced through a pair of defenders and ripped a shot from the left side, banging it off the inside of the far post and just missing.
Elizabethtown recorded its only attempt of the game four minutes later, but it resulted in a routine save for junior goalkeeper Autumn Reilly.
When senior Amanda Naeher was able to break free in the 82nd minute, however, there would be no routine save for E'Town.
Taking a square ball at the top of the Blue Jays' 18-yard box, Naeher deftly cut the ball back to her right foot, beating a pair of defenders, and launching a well-struck ball on frame. Her shot beat Manchak with pace, cementing Messiah's 15th shut out win of the season.
On the evening, the Falcons took 24 shots to Elizabethtown's one, and finished with six corner kicks to none from the visitors. The Blue Jays also committed 12 fouls to just six for Messiah, refusing to give ground at any point.
“Elizabethtown needed a win (to qualify for the conference tournament),” Frey said. “Their goal was to keep it close until about 10 or 15 minutes remained, and then press a little bit and look for a counter. Toward the end, they threw some people forward and started looking to attack a bit. Their plan was good. In the end, we got it done. Sometimes, you just get the result and move on.”
The Falcons will move on — as the league's top seed for the 10th straight year. Messiah will host Alvernia — a team they beat 3-0 on the road Oct. 19 — Wednesday at Shoemaker Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m. As with all post-season events, admission will be charged. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. Children under the age of six are admitted free.
“Alvernia is an athletic team that gave us trouble defensively,” Frey said. “Like today, we'll have to try to solve them. We're happy to be playing at home.”
