GRANTHAM, Pa. – No. 2 Messiah and No. 15 Stevens went the distance on Friday night and neither team could put one through in a scoreless draw to open the 2017 season. The Falcons outshot the Ducks 21-6— including 7-1 across the final 65 minutes—but their best and most dramatic chances were turned away. Both teams moved to 0-0-1.

Stop and Go
The Falcons and Ducks played much the first-half in the midfield, though Messiah had the better hold on territory and also a 14-5 edge in shots. The game was unsettled for stretches, however, with the Falcons moving back and forth from poise to hurry.
 
"I thought when we finally got our foot on the ball and stopped banging it, we did pretty well," said Messiah head coach Scott Frey. "I thought there were plenty of moments where we had control, and made the right pass, but there were also too many moments where we could have played the ball better."
 
Nearly Through
Stevens keeper Lindsey Mahnken made three saves in the first-half, but it wasn't until the second period and overtime that Messiah really made her work. Ellie Lengacher came within inches of a goal in the 47' when she stepped through two defenders in the box for a clear look on the frame. Her quick shot from eight yards out went to the right post, but Mahnken dove and tipped it outside the post for a corner.
 
One of the Falcons' best chance was also one of their last. Playing off a Stevens' foul from 25 yards straight out, DJ Cole quickly slotted Brooke Firestone behind the Ducks' defense, but her attempt at a shot was blocked as players from both teams came together in a pile.
 
Messiah had two corners in the final minutes—they finished with a 10-2 advantage in the category—but neither was especially dangerous.
 
"We created some good chances," Frey said commenting on the Falcons' multiple set plays and runs behind the Stevens defense. "We need to get better at being ready for the second run, knowing where to be positionally, and knowing where we can shoot from best. All that will come and we'll keep getting better."
 
Shutdown Defense
Despite not scoring, the Falcons limited the Stevens' chance from start to finish. The Ducks pressed hard at times and, though Messiah's back row flirted with some inefficiencies, they managed to allow just three shots on goal. Sara Yunez made three saves, and the back row including Sarah Strachan, Skylar Ulry, Lydia Eichorn, and Barb Foster all made big plays to earn possession ack.
 
"By and large, despite having some moments that could have been better, I thought our back row was good," Frey said. "It's a growth process, and I think we can be really good back there and elsewhere. Our composure could be better, and that will carry from the back up the field."
 
Up Next
Messiah will turn around quickly to host Pacific Lutheran tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. The Lutes opened the season tonight at Franklin & Marshall and won 3-0 behind a hat-trick from Leah Magee.