GRANTHAM, Pa. - Brooke Firestone scored her ninth goal of the season off a through ball from Sunny Gelnovatch in the fourth minute to give No. 1 Messiah women's soccer an early 1-0 lead over the No. 19 Dickinson Red Devils. That was all the offense the Falcons would need as they held on for the 1-0 victory to move to 9-1-0 on the season.
 
The Falcons held a 10-2 advantage in shots in the first half and while the Red Devils had some opportunities in the second half, Messiah held an overall 19-8 edge in total shots across the 90 minutes of the match.
 
Lydia Ewing turned in her fifth shutout of the season, making three saves on the night.
 
Messiah will be back in action this Saturday when they host the Alvernia Golden Wolves in their MAC Commonwealth opener at 5:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.
 
Firestone Tallies Early
Just over three minutes into the contest Brooke Firestone got Messiah on the board with her ninth goal of the season. Sunny Gelnovatch slotted a ball past the Red Devils' defensive line from the midfield stripe to a streaking Firestone. With defenders drapped on either side of her and the keeper pressing off her line, Firestone slotted a shot past the keeper just two steps inside the top of the box for the initial tally.
 
The goal came on the first shot of the game for either team and increased Firestone's team lead in goals scored to nine on the season. The assist for Gelnovatch was her third of the season.
 
Messiah Looks for Second Goal
After Firestone's tally it looked like the Falcons would add more, firing nine more shots in the opening half. Five of those nine attempts went on frame with Firestone sending three more shots inside the woodwork. Maddie Kohl and Abby Monko each put shots on goal in the opening half, but Dickinson's keeper Carli Boyer collected five saves in the period and the Falcons held a 1-0 lead at the break, despite holding a 10-2 lead in shots.
 
Dickinson's only shot on frame in the first half came in the 41st minute when Addy Zandi sent an attempt that was turned away by Lydia Ewing.
 
Falcons and Red Devils Trade Possession
After the half, the game was played primarily in the midfield with both teams having opportunities. Messiah attempted nine second-half shots against a half dozen attempts from Dickinson. The Red Devils settled into the game and held possession for longer stretches after the half than they did in the opening period.
 
In the 48th minute, Messiah had their best look of the half with back-to-back quality chances. First, Kylie Firestone had a shot turned away by Zandi between the pipes. Maddie Kohl stepped up and rang a shot off the right post after the Falcons collected the rebound. Despite the consistent pressure in the early minutes of the half, Messiah was unable to find an insurance goal and held on for the 1-0 victory.
 
What's Up Next
With Wednesday's victory over the Red Devils, Messiah has completed their non-conference schedule with a 9-1-0 record. The Falcons will now turn their attention to the Alvernia Golden Wolves on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field. The contest will start the first of eight MAC Commonwealth matches to end the regular season for Messiah. The Falcons hold an 11-0-0 record against Alvernia all-time.