Grantham, PA – Messiah College tallied a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 victory over Eastern University Thursday night. Skylar Ulry and Marisa Weaver scored the goals for the Falcons, and used a 20-4 advantage in shots to control the game.
 
The victory puts the No. 19 Falcons back in the win column after falling to No. 4 William Smith, and improves their record to 3-2 on the year. The Eagles fall to 1-5 on the year with the loss.
 
Messiah will look to build a winning streak when they return to action on Saturday when travel to Wilkes Barre, PA to take on Wilkes University. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m.
 
After falling behind in three of their first four games, the Falcons looked to get on the board early against Eastern. However, despite controlling possession early in the half and creating several opportunities, the Falcons managed to put only two shots on frame for the majority of the half.
 
Their best chance came with 12 minutes remaining in the frame, when Marisa Weaver possessed the ball deep in the Falcons' territory on the right side. Weaver maneuvered around two defenders and played the ball along the six-yard line into the middle. Megan Mansfield was there to redirect the ball to the left side of the goal past keeper Adrianna Rowlands, but defender Alex Imperatore stood firm and cleared the ball on the line to keep the game scoreless.
 
The Falcons used a dramatic, last-second goal to finish the first-half and finally get on the board. Olivia Snare possessed the ball outside the box on the left wing and played it square to Emily Lockwood at the top of the circle. Lockwood turned to her right, took two touches and tapped it across to Skylar Ulry, who chipped a shot into the box. Her shot from the right side of the circle along the 18 bent over Rowlands's hands and into the back of the net with only 12 seconds on the clock. The late goal gave the Falcons a 1-0 lead as the teams headed into the break.
 
Messiah continued to control possession in the second-half, but again failed to capitalize early. Nevertheless, the Falcons broke through in the 72nd minute of play to give them a 2-0 advantage. Sunny Gelnovatch possessed the ball in the center of the Falcons' third, and with Eastern pressing their defense up, was able to play a ball into space to Marisa Weaver. The forward raced ahead of the pack to receive the ball just outside the center of the box for a one-on-one opportunity against Rowlands. Weaver quickly touched left and ripped a shot that sailed past the keeper's hands and inside the near post to finish the scoring for the evening.
 
The Falcons' offense controlled possession throughout the game, and managed to keep the pressure on the Eagles. Their constant attack led to a 20-4 advantage in shots, and a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Messiah's defense held firm throughout the night as well, limiting Eastern to just four shots; Kayla Deckert, Summerly Merson, Sarah Strachan, and Ulry controlled the back line for the Falcons, and bottled up the Eagles attack.
 
The Falcons will look to build a winning streak when they return to action on Saturday and travel to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. to take on Wilkes University. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m.