GRANTHAM, Pa. - In the 80th minute of a scoreless game, Maddie Kohl unleashed a left-footed strike that nestled into the side netting to give the Falcons the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over the No. 24 Misericordia Cougars on Shoemaker Field on Saturday night. Messiah outshot the Cougars 19-8 in the contest, but Kohl's tally would be the lone score in the top-25 match-up.

With the victory, Messiah moves to 7-1-0 on the season and will next take the pitch on Thursday when they host the McDaniel Green Terror on Thursday evening.

Scoreless Start
The first-half of Saturday's match was filled with opportunities for both the Falcons and Cougars. Misericordia had one of the more dangerous chances of the opening half in the 25th minute,  when Hannah Larkin forced a turnover in the Cougars' attacking third and launched a shot that sailed just over the crossbar.

From of the 28th to 35th minutes, Messiah put three shots on goal with Sunny Gelnovatch, Brooke Firestone, and Megan Mansfield each registering shots. All three were turned away by Misericordia's keeper and the game remained tied. Outside of the shots on goal, Messiah also had other looks at goal. In the 36th minute, Firestone sent a cross into the middle of the box for Jessie Fisher. Along with Fisher a Cougar defender met at the same time. The shot by Fisher popped harmlessly over the bar.

Messiah and Misericordia went into the break scoreless, despite combining for 15 shots (seven on goal).

In the 65th minute it looked as if Messiah had taken a 1-0 lead when Firestone had a look from inside the box with the left foot, but her shots rattled off the left post before being cleared out of danger.

Kohl Creates
After one of the only five fouls called in the entire match, Messiah had a free kick on the Misericordia side of the field. Rather than throw a dangerous ball into the box, Messiah played on the ground to the outside. The result of the play gave Maddie Kohl possession of the ball on the outside of the box to the right-side. Kohl stepped on the ball and took two dribbles to her left to get into the box and to create some space. A quick left-footed shot followed, and skipped its way inside the back post to put the Falcons on the board.

Kohl's goal was the fourth of the season and proved to be the game-winner for Messiah. While the Falcons had a handful of chances down the stretch, no more offensive was needed to give the Falcons a 1-0 victory over a top-25 team.

What's Up Next
With the win, Messiah improves to 7-1-0 on the season and will next take the field on Thursday night when they host McDaniel College on Shoemaker Field at 7:00 p.m. Following the meeting with the Green Terror, Messiah will turn their attention to the MAC Commonwealth slate beginning with Hood College on Sept. 29 at 5:00 p.m.