XML Box Score Grantham, PA –
Corinne Wulf scored a pair of goals and Messiah College held an opponent without a shot for the fourth time this season in the Falcons' 4-0 shutout of Alvernia University. The win moves Messiah to 10-2-1 on the season while the Crusaders fall to 8-6-1.
Wulf put through the game winner in the 12th minute by following up a saved shot by Elsaesser. The senior's quick touch came near the goal line as Colleen Maher tried to corral the loose ball. It was Wulf's third goal of the season came on the Falcons' fifth shot attempt as they were on their way to a 19-0 advantage in shots in the first-half.
Maher collected seven saves through the first 45 minutes to keep the game close, though it seemed to be just a matter of time before the Falcons would add more scores. Elsaesser did the honors in the 54th minute after the Crusaders' defense was unable to clear a ball played into the box.
Macaulay Soto started the action for Messiah with a through ball to Wulf, but Wulf was unable to keep possession on her run over the 18-yard line. Alvernia's Kristen Eckert and Kelsey Gill took the ball away but then collided with each other, leaving Elsaesser with a clear strike off the hands of Maher and into the net.
The tally for Elsaesser was her team-leading 13th of the season.
While still keeping the Crusaders without a shot, the Falcons broke the game open in the 68th minute off the foot of Wulf.
Kyele Bridel sent a long volley from the right side to the front of net where Maher punched it to the top of the 18. The ball was quickly sent back into the box where Katie Hummel stumbled on the six-yard line in her attempt to clear it out. Wulf played the ball to the ground and touched left before sending left-footed shot perfectly across the net to inside the right post.
Bridel completed the scoring in the 80th minute with a penalty kick after she was tripped on her approach inside the right edge of the box.
The Falcons completed their eighth consecutive shutout while not allowing a single shot (36-0) and have now scored 15 goals in their past five games. Over that five-game stretch they've also outshot their opponents 137-5.
The win also moves Messiah to 3-0 in the conference. They will look to stay unbeaten on Thursday when they travel to Elizabethtown College for a make-up of last Saturday's rainout. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m.
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