SALISBURY, Md. - The No. 10 Messiah women's soccer team completed the 2021 regular season with a 2-0 victory over the Salisbury Sea Gulls on Thursday afternoon. A Thea Neimond tally in the 11th minute was the difference until Kayla Herr converted a penalty kick in the 89th minute as the Falcons picked up their 10th-straight shutout victory. Messiah was on the attack throughout the contest, outshooting the Sea Gulls 17-4 in the match.
 
Lydia Watkins was tested just once, making her lone save in the 66th minute.
 
The Falcons wrap-up the regular season with an overall record of 14-2-1. Messiah will now turn their attention to the MAC Commonwealth Tournament where they are the top seed. That Tournament will begin for the Falcons next Thursday when they host the winner of Monday's Play-In Game on Shoemaker Field at 7:00 p.m.
 
Finding a Moment Early
The Falcons were on the attack from the start, getting called for an offsides in the third minute before taking their first shot in the eighth minute. In the 11th minute, Esther Seeland held possession on the Falcons' defensive line. Seeland took her time and delivered a long ball over the top for a streaking Thea Neimond down a seam in the Sea Gulls' defense.
 
Neimond carried the ball into the box and beat the keeper low for the first tally of the contest.
 
The score was Neimond's third goal of the season and second in as many games.
 
Messiah continued to threaten for the remainder of the half, attempting 10 shots in the period against just one from the Sea Gulls. Even with the steady opportunities for Messiah, the lead stayed one at the break.
 
Sea Gulls Threaten
Messiah remained on the front foot for the majority of the match, but it was not without a dangerous moment from Salisbury in the 66th minute. The Sea Gulls carried the ball down into the left corner and slotted a feed back into the middle of the box. Maia Burger was there for Salisbury in a one-on-one situation with Lydia Watkins. Burger took the shot, but Watkins stood tall and picked up the save with her body to keep the clean sheet.
 
Herr Converts Penalty
In the closing minutes, Messiah was awarded a penalty kick when Rachael Tirjan was taken down on the right side of the box in the 89th minute. Kayla Herr calmly stepped up and converted the penalty kick for turn the Falcons' lead into a 2-0 advantage with just over a minute to play.
 
Messiah was able to kill off the remaining minute and earn the 2-0 victory to pick up their 10th-straight shutout to close the regular season. Messiah went the entire month of October without allowing a goal.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back on the pitch next Thursday when they host the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals. Messiah will host the winner of the MAC Commonwealth Play-In Game that will take place on Monday. The teams competing in that play-in game have yet to be determined.
 
The MAC Commonwealth Semifinals will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.