Box Score
Reading, PA – The Falcons visited the Crusaders of Alvernia University on Tuesday night, playing their second conference match-up this season. Alvernia came into the game with a 6-3-2 record, with their last win coming three games ago by way of an 11-0 decision over Valley Forge Christian College. Looking for another victory, the Crusaders were hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's contest with Messiah, which ended 10-0 in favor of the Falcons.
A double-digit result would not be in the cards for either teams this night, although the Falcons made an attempt. Messiah attempted nine shots in the first 30 minutes, with zero coming for Alvernia. Sophomore
Mackenzie Clapper finally broke through for Messiah in the 30th minute, with freshman
Holly Burgard collecting the assist. That goal marked Clapper's first goal on the season, the assist being Burgard's third.
Freshman
Kyele Bridel and classmate
Macaulay Soto jumped on the “firsts” bandwagon when they connected in the 43rd minute. From 40 yards out, Soto sent through the goal-scoring ball to Bridel where she slid it past the keeper. It was Bridel's first career goal as Soto collected her first career point.
The teams went into their halftime huddles with the Falcons holding a 2-0 advantage.
The second half opened up with senior
Alex Brandt taking the lead for the Falcons. In both the 55th and 61st minutes she scored goals, both of them unassisted. Her second goal, the last of the game, came on a breakway through the Crusaders' midfield.
Freshman
Audra Larson saw her first action of the game in the 78th minute when she saved a shot by Junior Kelsey Gill. It was the only shot that Alvernia took throughout the game, versus Messiah's 24.
The 4-0 score held up through the end to give yet another shut-out win to the Falcons, their ninth on the year.
The next game for the Falcons is scheduled for this Saturday, October 6, when they will oppose rival Elizabethtown College. The contest will be held on Messiah's Shoemaker Field with a game time of 5:00 p.m.
