Grantham, PA – No. 2 Messiah College scored four times in the first-half en route to a 5-0 win over Widener University on Saturday evening. The win pushed Messiah to 11-0 on the season including 1-0 in the Commonwealth Conference.
The Falcons dominated territory the entire game, with Widener not getting to the Falcons' defensive 18-yard line until less than five minutes in the first-half. By that time Messiah had already built a 3-0 lead as they were on their way to a 4-0 halftime advantage.
Nikki Elsaesser started the scoring for the Falcons in the fourth minute when she cut middle from the left side to across the top of the box for the score. It was her team-leading 12th goal of the season.
Kyele Bridel added to the lead less than 10 minutes later when she followed up a saved penalty kick offering with a quick strike past the second dive of keeper Olivia Pfautz. Pfautz's initial save was one her 11 on the day.
Nevertheless, Messiah continued to hold possession and pick apart the Pride midfield and defense.
Holly Burgard took a slot from
Macaulay Soto in the 31st minute, getting into the box and over Pfautz before hitting a shot through for a 3-0 lead.
Messiah went up 4-0 just before the half off the foot of
Missy Biener. She carried possession into the attacking third and to the left side of the box before putting her shot past Pfautz's closeout.
Burgard added her second goal of the game just 30 seconds into the second-half, taking a pass from
Erin Sollenberger for a quick strike before the defense could recover.
Messiah took 25 shots to Widener's zero—the second time this season they've held an opponent without an attempt (Eastern).
The Falcons will next play on Tuesday, Oct. 7 when they host Lycoming College at 7:00 p.m. It will be the final game of Messiah's seven game home stand.
