EWING, N.J. – The No. 11 Messiah women's soccer team suffered a 2-1 setback in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon against the No. 2 The College of New Jersey. The Falcons fell behind 2-0 after goals from the Lions in the 44th and 50th minute, but Rachael Tirjan brought Messiah back into the game will a left-footed tally in the 61st minute.
 
The Falcons were unable to complete the comeback, with a shot off the post in the 76th the closest they would get in the 2-1 setback.
 
TCNJ advances to the Sectional Semifinals while the Falcons see their season come to an end with an overall record of 17-3-1.
 
Early Chances In Scoreless Start
Messiah had their first quality chance in the 17th minute. The Falcons played a little give and go to Brianna Seip on the right side of the box. She stepped in and attempted a low shot that was saved. Two minutes later, Rachel Tirjan wound up from outside the box with the left foot and hit one on frame, but right at the TCNJ keeper, Alexandra Panasuk for another save.
 
The Lions most dangerous moment in the first 30 minutes came on a rip from 40 yards out by Amelia Curtis in the 21st minute. Her attempt skimmed the top of the crossbar, but stayed out and the game remained scoreless.
 
Lydia Watkins was called on to make her first saves of the game in the 27th and 28th minutes. The first, a shot from distance, fluttered into her arms harmlessly while the second was a low driven ball that she picked up without an issue.
 
Messiah had another opportunity in the 37th minute. Brianna Seip carried possession down the right sideline and slotted a ball to Rachael Tirjan at the corner of the box on the right side. Her attempt went just wide of the goal mouth on the right side.
 
The Lions Find the Board
With under two minutes to play in the opening half, Messiah conceded a corner kick to the Lions. TCNJ capitalized on the corner kick with Amelia Curtis finding the head of Ivonne Vazquez, who lofted it to the back of the net for a 1-0 lead for the Lions as the match turned to the second half.
 
Doubling the Lead
Just after the break, the Lions doubled their lead with a tally in the 50th minute off a rip from Emma Pascarella from the top of the box. Pascarella took a feed from Julia Obst and sent a shot to the left post for the 2-0 lead.
 
Tirjan's Left Footed Rip
Trailing by two to a team that had allowed just four goals on the season was a tall task for the Falcons. In the 61st minute, Rachel Tirjan made that task seem a little more possible when she connected with her left foot from the top of the box. Tirjan took a touch around a defender and then ripped a hard shot just under the bar for her 11th score of the season.
 
That tally cut the Lions' lead in half at 2-1 with just under 30 minutes to play.
 
The Falcons continued to pressure, looking for the equalizer. In the 76th minute, Tirjan had another look at the goal, knocking a shot off the left post from inside the box. The rebound fell to Jessie Fisher, who's attempt was blocked before it had a chance at goal.
 
Just a minute later, Kayla Herr had the Falcons' final shot of the day in the 77th minute, putting it on frame, but Panasuk was there for her fifth save of the day.
 
TCNJ narrowly outshot Messiah on the afternoon, 13-12m but it was the Falcons with six shots on frame against four from the Lions.
 
The 2-1 loss, concludes the Falcons' season with an overall record of 17-3-1. TCNJ advances to play Scranton in the Third Round next weekend.