Annville, PA – One goal proved enough for No. 1 Messiah College on Saturday as they earned a narrow win at Lebanon Valley on Saturday, 1-0. The decision over their conference foe moved them to both 13-0 overall and 3-0 in the Commonwealth.
 
Kyele Bridel tallied the game's lone goal off a corner kick serve by Marisa Weaver in the 67th minute. Weaver's offering was knocked around in the box for a moment before Bridel sent through her shot for her fourth goal of the season.
 
The goal ended a scoreless battle that Messiah was winning, though the scoreboard was yet to admit as much.
 
"I thought we played well today," Messiah head coach Scott Frey said. "We moved the ball well and had plenty of chances. We just didn't finish as well as we would have liked."
 
To Frey's point, Messiah finished with a 23-2 edge in shots, including a 15-1 advantage in the second-half. But just eight of the Falcons' shots went on frame, though two more shots hit the underside of the crossbar.
 
Dutchmen keeper Taylor Reinhold made seven saves to keep the hosts close, but Messiah's midfield and defense did just as well to hold the Lebanon Valley attack in check.
 
The Falcons were also helped by their deep bench; eight players came off the bench for Messiah while Lebanon Valley's 11 starters played every minute.
 
"(The Dutchmen) came out strong to start, but I think they started to get tired as the game went on," Frey said. "Our players did what they needed to do to limit (LVC's) chances, and our back row was good."
 
The loss dropped LVC to 9-2-1 overall, and 1-1 in the Commonwealth.
 
The Falcons will next play at Stevenson University on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7:00. The Mustangs are tied atop the conference standings with Messiah (3-0) after winning today over Widener 3-0.