GRANTHAM, Pa. – The top-seeded Messiah women's soccer team clinched its 18th MAC Commonwealth Championship since the 2000 season on Saturday afternoon at Shoemaker Field, defeating visiting No. 3 York College (Pa.), 3-0. Rachael Tirjan scored two goals as Esther Seeland added a thunderous headed goal off a corner to lift the Falcons past the Spartans, earning their 21st total NCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Championship tournament appearance in program history.

Sophomore defender Jenna Skurcenski earned MAC Commonwealth Tournament MVP with her stellar defensive play across Messiah's 6-0 defeat of Albright College in the Semifinals and today's shutout victory.
 
The championship-clinching victory is the program's 18th conference crown, increasing Messiah's overall record to 16-2-1 (8-0 MAC Commonwealth) ahead of the national tournament.
 
The Falcons did not wait long to get on the board, cashing in a corner kick opportunity only 5:24 into the contest. McKenzie Swartley swung in the free kick as Esther was on the receiving end, powering in a header for a 1-0 lead. Messiah applied consistent offensive pressure in the opening 12 minutes of play, earning a total of four corners. Brianna Seip had a an opportunity in the 24th minute, but her effort on goal was saved by Spartan goalkeeper Cat McCarty. The Falcons doubled their advantage just two minutes later when Tirjan found the lower right corner of the net, extending the lead to 2-0. Jessie Fisher was credited with the assist on the tally, her third assist of the campaign.
 
Ten minutes later, Tirjan added her second tally of the contest, converting a penalty kick to give the Falcons a commanding 3-0 advantage. Neither sides recorded a shot in the final 10 minutes of the first half as Messiah cruised into halftime with a three-goal lead. Falcon goalkeeper Lydia Watkins had a strong half, recording a total of four saves.
 
Messiah dominated much of the second half of play, outshooting the Spartans, 8-0. Despite not recording a goal, the Falcons earned five corners in the half opposite York's one corner. Tirjan had an opportunity to complete a hat trick in the 57th minute, but McCarty was able to keep the junior forward out of the back of the net. The Falcons recorded two shots in the final 10 minutes of play, ultimately clinching their third-consecutive MAC Commonwealth Championship with the 3-0 decision.
 
Messiah recorded a total of 15 shots as Watkins ended with four saves on the afternoon, earning the victory. Seeland tallied her fourth goal of the season as Tirjan notched her ninth and 10th goals of the campaign.
 
What's Up Next
Messiah will defend its 2019 National Championship in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship tournament, set to begin this week. Be sure to check back here at GoMessiah.com for scheduling information as it is released!