READING, Pa. - The No. 14 Messiah women's soccer team used the first career goals from Michaela Elliott and Maddie Hughes to earn a 2-0 victory over the Albright Lions on Wednesday night. The Falcons outshot the Lions 27-4 in the contest with Elliot scoring in the 30th minute and Hughes netting her score in the 80th minute. The shutout victory moves the Falcons to 2-0-0 in the MAC Commonwealth this season and to 7-2-1 overall.
 
The Falcons will be back in action this weekend when they welcome the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen to Grantham for Homecoming on Saturday. The Falcons and Dutchmen will square off on Shoemaker Field at 3:00 p.m.
 
Consistent Pressure
The Falcons were the aggressors throughout the first portion of Wednesday's game with four shots in the opening 24 minutes. Despite attempts from Jessie Fisher, a pair of Kristina Akselsen, and one from Kenzie Spodnik the game stood deadlocked, without a score.
 
Denting the Board
In the 30th minute, the Falcons ratcheted up the pressure even more with a corner kick that led to a shot from Esther Seeland that was turned away. The rebound went to Kristina Akselsen, but her attempt nicked the crossbar and Messiah was awarded another corner kick.
 
Messiah was able to cash in on the second corner with the delivery in the box bouncing for Michaela Elliott from point-blank range. Elliott knocked home her first career goal and the Falcons took a 1-0 lead.
 
The Falcons attempted four more shots in the final 15 minutes of the period, putting two on frame from Olivia Shuck in the 42nd and 44th minute. During that same stretch, Albright had their best opportunities of the evening with three shots. Lydia Watkins made a pair of saves in the 37th and 41st minutes to keep it a 1-0 lead as the match turned to the half.
 
Another First, Doubles the Lead
The Falcons nearly doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Bella Touzeau nicked the woodwork from 30 yards out with the Albright keeper off her line. The attempt was one of 16 second-half shots for the Falcons.
 
Messiah was able to find some insurance in the 80th minute when Emma Herrmann found Maddie Hughes for her first score in a Messiah uniform from inside the box. Hughes' score put the Falcons up 2-0 with just over 10 minutes remaining. While Messiah attempted four more shots in the final minutes, Albright kept it a 2-0 final with Messiah picking up their third-straight victory.
 
What's Up Next
With the win, Messiah moves to 7-2-1 on the season and improves to 2-0-0 in the MAC Commonwealth with a pair of shutout victories over York and Albright. The Falcons will now turn their attention to the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen, who visit Grantham on Homecoming at 3:00 p.m. this Saturday.