GRANTHAM, Pa. - The No. 1 Messiah women's soccer team played the final 40 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime with an extra player against the No. 14 Arcadia Knights, but was unable to find the game-winning goal and the Falcons and Knights finished in a scoreless draw on Wednesday night. Messiah delivered extensive pressure in the final hour of the match, out shooting Arcadia 40-6 on the night.
The Knights had their fair share of quality looks in the opening minutes of the match, forcing Messiah keeper
Lydia Ewing to make a diving save on a penalty kick early in the match.
Late in the second overtime period,
Kayla Herr put a dangerous header on frame off a cross from
Brooke Firestone, but an incredible save from Arcadia keeper Brianna Williams kept the game scoreless.
This is the fourth-straight double-overtime game between the Knights and Falcons. The draw moves the Falcons to 10-1-1 overall on the season and to 1-0-1 in the conference. Messiah is next in action on Saturday when they travel to Chester to take on the Pride at 5:30 p.m.
Scoreless First Half
A fast-paced opening 45 minutes did not lead to a goal for the Falcons or Knights on Wednesday night on Shoemaker Field. Both teams had high quality scoring chances in the opening half with the first, and most dangerous, coming in the fourth minute when Arcadia's Bridget Sway was awarded a penalty kick. Sway's chance was sent low to the middle of the goal and was rejected by Falcons' keeper
Lydia Ewing.
The Falcons sent a flurry of shots in the middle of the period with
Brooke Firestone sending two attempts on frame and
Shelby Burger registering one between the pipes in the 31st minute. Messiah could not get one past the Knights' keeper Brianna Williams and the game remained tied into the second half. The period saw strong opportunities at both ends, however the scoreless half would end with Messiah holding a 10-5 advantage in shots. Both keepers recorded three saves in the first 45 minutes.
Game Changing Red Card
Less than three minutes into the second half
Ellie Lengacher sent a through ball to a streaking
Brooke Firestone behind the Knights' defensive line. Firestone was about to run onto the ball when she was taken down from behind by Bridget Sway, halting a clear goal scoring opportunity for Firestone. Sway was given a straight red card that completely changed the complexion of the game.
Messiah held a 10-5 advantage in shots in the 48 minutes prior to the red card, but after Sway was sent off, Messiah allowed just one shot in the next 62 minutes while taking 30 of their own.
Relentless Attack
Messiah held a 40-6 advantage in shots in the game, with many dangerous opportunities throughout the final hour of the contest. Arcadia's defense bent but did not break, allowing many chances to the Falcons. Despite a season-high 40 shots, Messiah could not find the back of the net. In the second-half alone, Messiah put 12 shots on goal with Brianna Williams making a dozen saves in the period.
Ellie Lengacher led Messiah with 11 shots in the game, while five different Falcons attempted at least four shots on the evening.
Arcadia's Chance
With 15 seconds remaining in the second overtime, Arcadia earned a free kick from about 30 yards out. The Knights' Kayla Murphy sent a beautiful ball to the upper 90 on the right post, forcing Ewing to make a save and cover the ball to keep the game scoreless heading to a second overtime.
Herr's Header Nearly the Difference
In the 104th minute,
Brooke Firestone turned in front of the Falcons' bench and sent a low cross into the middle of the box.
Kayla Herr ran onto the delivery and hammered a header to the far post. The header looked to be the game-winner, but Briana Williams made a diving, full extension, one-handed save that kept the game scoreless.
What's Up Next
The draw moves the Falcons to 10-1-1 on the season and 1-0-1 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Falcons will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Widener to take on the Pride at 5:30 p.m. Messiah holds a 22-2-0 all-time record against Widener.
