Reading, PA – Four different Falcons tallied in the second-half to help Messiah rally from an early deficit and win 4-1 over Alvernia University. The win pushed the Falcons to 17-0-1 on the season, including 6-0-1 in the Commonwealth Conference.
 
The Falcons went down in just the sixth minute of play, as Baily Stover took advantage of an opportunity against the run of play to fire a shot from the left side of the 18. Her strike went over the leap of keeper Audra Larson and inside the near post, putting the hosts on top 1-0.

The deficit was a first for Messiah this season, and the score was just their fourth goal against in 18 games.
 
Despite the early hole, the Falcons responded loudly, holding the Crusaders without another shot for the rest of the evening. Nevertheless, it wasn't until after the break that they were able to get on the board.
 
In the 51st minute the equalizer finally came. Playing off a restart from off the left corner of the 18, Messiah played short to Nikki Elsaesser who cut to the end line. The Crusader defense was looking the other way on the play, which allowed Elsaesser to get to the post before slotting across the goal to Kyele Bridel on the far side. Bridel put her shot through to tie the game.
 
Just five minutes later Elsaesser scored herself to put Messiah in front. The goal was set up by the Falcons' ninth corner of the night, though the ball took a few touches before landing at the feet of Marisa Weaver near the right post. Her quick pass back to Elsaesser was sent through for her 19th goal.
 
Now in front, the Falcons' pressure continued. Marisa Weaver set up another tally in the 65th minute when she attacked around her defender on the left side to get on the end line. Like Elsaesser before her, she got to the post and slotted back to the middle where Macaulay Soto ran on from the top of a the 18 for a hard strike past Plunkett for a 3-1 lead.
 
Mackenzie Clapper completed the scoring in the 81st minute with an impressive shot off a set piece from 30 yards out in the midfield that tucked under the crossbar.
 
Messiah finished with a 26-1 edge in shots, including an 18-1 edge in shots on goal. Plunkett did make 14 saves on the foggy night in her attempt to keep the Crusaders in the game.
 
As mentioned, Messiah moves to 6-0-1 in the Commonwealth, which keeps them tied for first with Stevenson University. The Falcons will finish the regular-season on Saturday when they travel to Arcadia for a 1:00 p.m. game time.