GRANTHAM, Pa. – For the second time this week the No. 5 Messiah women's soccer team faced a top-ten foe. On Saturday evening the Falcons squared off with the No. 7 William Smith Herons and were on the wrong end of a one-goal decision, falling 1-0 despite outshooting the Herons 15-8 in the match.
 
The Herons found their moment in the 24th minute after a failed clearance. William Smith's Megan Barwick took a shot from the top of the box that was deflected by the Falcons' defense, but ultimately ended up in the back of the net.
 
Messiah pressured throughout the contest, including nine shots in the second-half, but the first-half goal proved to be the difference.
 
The Falcons move to 3-1-0 on the season and will next take the field on Wednesday when they host the DeSales Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.

How It Happened
The Falcons had their first quality chance in the 24th minute when Maddie Kohl sent a pass from the right side to Julia Kyne in the middle of the box. Kyne attempted to slide a one-time pass to Emily Lockwood running to the far post, but her touch slipped just wide of of the slide of Lockwood.

Just 40 seconds after the dangerous look by the Falcons, the Herons were knocking at the doorstep on the other side. A perfectly weighted through ball found the foot of Sheila McQuillen down the left side. When three Falcons swarmed, McQuillen chipped a centering ball to Megan Barwick at the top of the box. Barwick took a controlling touch and hit a shot that deflected off a Falcons' defender and into to the back of the net for the score.

The goal came on the first shot of the match for the Herons.

In the Box Score
As mentioned, the Falcons pressured throughout the contest and particularly late in the game. Messiah outshot the Herons 15-8 in the game, but only put three shots on target compared to two from William Smith.

Each team earned only one corner kick in the game, with Messiah picking up their kick in the second minute of the game. William Smith took their corner kick in the 73rd minute, during a dangerous run of play that saw the Herons take a pair of shots. Included in those attempts was a shot by a Amanda Adams that nicked off the top of the crossbar that would have doubled the Herons' lead.

What's Up Next
Messiah remains at home for their next match against DeSales University on Wednesday night on Shoemaker Field at 7:00 p.m. The Bulldogs this season are 1-1-2 with three games against MAC Commonwealth foes (4-0 win vs. Alvernia, 2-2 draw vs. Albright, and 0-0 draw vs. Widener).