GENEVA, N.Y. - No. 5 William Smith scored a goal in each half to down the No. 7 Messiah women's soccer team 2-0 on Saturday afternoon. The setback was the first loss of the season for the Falcons, who move to 3-1-0 on the season.
Messiah took seven shots against 12 for the Herons. Both teams put five attempts on frame.
William Smith connected in the 15th minute on a quality individual effort from Seneca Blakely-Armitage, who slipped through the Messiah defense before slotting a ball in the right corner of the goal. In the opening minutes of the second half, the Herons were at it again, scoring less than a minute after the break off a tally from Amanda Adams.
Messiah will next take the field on Wednesday evening when the Falcons travel to Reading, Pa. to take on Penn State - Berks at 7:00 p.m.
Herons Deliver Early Pressure
William Smith came out swinging in the opening minutes of Saturday's contest, taking a pair of shots in the first 10 minutes. Both attempts went on frame, but Messiah's
Lydia Ewing was in the way for the Falcons, turning the pair of attempts away. The big hit came in the 15th minute when Seneca Blakely-Armitage dribbled through the Falcons' defense and tucked a shot inside the right post for a 1-0 Herons lead.
The tally was Blakely-Armitage's first of the season and came before the Falcons had attempted a shot.
Messiah Looks for the Counter
Immediately following the goal, the Herons attempted another shot, but it sailed high. After the shot, Messiah took a bit of momentum with shots from
Sunny Gelnovatch and
Brianna Seip sandwiched around a pair of corner kicks for the Falcons. Messiah was unable to connect on either attempt with the William Smith keeper, Amanda Kesler, collecting saves on both attempts.
Ellie Lengacher tested Kesler between the pipes in the 25th minute, but the keeper was true to form and the game remained a 1-0 margin.
The remaining 20 minutes of the opening half was primarily played in the midfield with neither team getting many quality chances. Each team earned a corner kick and the Herons' Sarah Gray sent a shot wide in the 42nd minute, but the lead remained one for William Smith at the break.
Herons Double the Lead
In the first minute of the second half, Amanda Adams doubled the lead for the Herons by banging a shot off the right post and into the back of the net. It was the first shot in the half and gave William Smith a 2-0 lead, that they would not give up.
Messiah attempted four shots in the final 45 minutes, putting two on frame while also earning four corner kicks. Despite the second-half pressure, Messiah was unable to cut into the lead, falling by a 2-0 final.
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Penn State - Berks at 7:00 p.m. It will be the third all-time meeting between the Falcons and Nittany Lions. Messiah claimed the previous two meetings, including a 3-0 victory on Sept. 1, 2016 in their most recent contest.
