XML Box Score
Grantham, PA – Messiah College's Nikki Elsaesser scored both of the Falcons' goals the University of Scranton on Saturday—one early and one late—to give Messiah their second win in as many days. The victory moves Messiah to 2-0.
Elsaesser's first score came in just the ninth minute of play when she was able to follow-up her own missed shot from near the right post to give Messiah a quick 1-0 lead. The score came on the Falcons' third shot of the game as the Falcons were on their way to outshooting the Royals nine to zero in the first 45 minutes.
"For the first ten to fifteen minutes, I really think we moved the ball well and ran off the ball well," said Messiah head coach Scott Frey, commenting on the early aggression showed the Falcons' attack. "We were creating some really good chances early."
Though Messiah would continue to find chances—and play with much of the game's possession—they would not manage to capitalize with another score until 70 minutes later when Elsaesser struck again. This time, her shot resulted from a strong attack into the left side of the box by Marisa Weaver, with Weaver drawing an extra Royals' defender and finding Elsaesser in the middle of the box for a quick strike past keeper Kelsy McAnelly.
For Elsaesser, it was her third goal in two games as Messiah continued to build chemistry throughout the field.
"I think we've made some good progress in the last week," said Frey, commenting on the Falcons' development from back to front. "In our first scrimmage, we didn't hold the ball well. This weekend, our improvement has shown and our ball movement was better. Overall, our decisions are getting better.
"The next piece for us is going to get better around the net. Scoring goals is hard, and learning to do it is part of the process."
On the defensive side of the ball, Messiah also looked strong. They held Scranton (0-2) without a shot and, through two games, have yielded just three shots on the season.
"Our backs have played well," said Frey. "They've been solid defensively and have really limited the other teams."
Messiah will hope their "solid" defensive play continues, as they could be tested next week when they host rival Johns Hopkins University. The two teams are very familiar with each other after meeting routinely in the regular-season and also squaring off in of the past four NCAA Tournaments.
"Next week will be a huge test for us," said Frey, looking ahead to the Falcons' match-up with Blue Jays on Wednesday, Sept. 4. "On all sides of the field we'll need to keep pressing and getting better. It will be a great opportunity."
