EWING, N. J. - The Messiah women's soccer team survived a tight First Round Match with the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins on Saturday evening, earning a 1-0 overtime victory thanks to a tally from Kenzie Spodnik in the 96th minute. The Falcons and Marlins played a scoreless regulation with Messiah outshooting the Marlins 15-3 through the first 90 minutes of the contest.
 
While both teams had dangerous moments throughout the match, Messiah had the better of the chances, outshooting the Marlins 18-4 in the match while putting six shots on frame against zero for Virginia Wesleyan. In the 82nd minute, Messiah had their best chances of the evening with a penalty kick, but it was saved to keep the game scoreless heading into the extra period.
 
In the 96th minute, Rachael Tirjan sent a ball to Kenzie Spodnik on the left-side of the box and Spodnik rattled it off the right post and into the back of the net for the golden goal victory to start their run in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Messiah advances to take on the Lions from The College of New Jersey tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in Ewing, N.J. with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.
 
Scoreless Start
The Falcons were on the front foot for a majority of the contest, holding the Marlins to just four shots in the entire match. None of those four shots went on frame while the Falcons attempted eight shots in the first half and seven in the second period. Three more in overtime gave the Falcons 18 total shots in the match. Messiah put a third of those attempts on goal for six in the game.
 
Crazy Moments Late
While the first 70 minutes of play had quality moments, the final 20 minutes of regulation were action packed. Things really got started in the 72nd minute, when the Marlins nearly took a lead on a Messiah own goal. Virginia Wesleyan sent a free kick into the box from 40-plus yards out. A flicked-on header was popped into the air by the Marlins. The ball landed on a defender's foot and was directed toward the right post. Fortunately for the Falcons, it steered just wide and out of play for a corner kick. On the ensuing corner, Messiah cleared the ball out of danger and the match continued as a scoreless contest.
 
Just 10 minutes later in the 82nd minute, Brianna Seip was fed on the right side of the box. As she attempted to turn the corner, Seip was brought down inside the box by her defender and Messiah was awarded a penalty kick. Kayla Herr stepped up to the spot, looking to give the Falcons a late lead, but her attempt was saved by the Marlins' keeper Amruta Karkare and the match remained scoreless.
 
That was the last quality attempt by the Falcons in regulation and the match turned to overtime.
 
Golden Goal Winner
Early in overtime, the Marlins had one of their most dangerous chances of the contest. With a high bouncing ball in the Falcons' box, Messiah was unable to control possession. Virginia Wesleyan had three players in the box and Carleigh Van Reenen swung and missed at the bouncing ball. A second attempt from the top of the six was blocked by the Falcons and eventually escaped the danger when the ball went out wide.
 
Just a few minutes later, the Falcons found their moment from Kenzie Spodnik. In the 97th minute, Rachael Tirjan collected possession outside of the box on the right side. She carried along the top of the box and an open Spodnik on the left side. Spodnik beat her defender to the outside and took a shot from 10 yards out that clanked off the right post and in for the golden goal game winner.
 
Moving On
The victory advances the Falcons to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament where they will face No. 1 The College of New Jersey at 1:00 p.m. on the Lions' home field in Ewing, N.J. Messiah and TCNJ have squared off in the NCAA Tournament before with