Messiah University

GRANTHAM, Pa. – Five first-half goals from five different goal scorers lifted No. 2 Messiah women's soccer over the Stevenson Mustangs in their first MAC Commonwealth match of the season. The Falcons earned the victory by a 6-0 final score, outshooting the Mustangs 35-3 in the process. Messiah connected with five tallies in the first 20 minutes with Kylie Firestone, Kenzie Spodnik, Korinne Kovatch, Rachael Tirjan, and Ella Arace finding the back of the net.
 
Kenzie Spodnik added a second goal late in the second half.
 
In addition to her game-winning goal, Kylie Firestone assisted on Kovatch's tally while Julia Martin found the head of Rachael Tirjan for the game's fourth score.
 
With the victory, Messiah moves to 9-0-2 on the season and 1-0-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. Another conference foe awaits the Falcons on Saturday when they take on the Alvernia Golden Wolves in Reading, Pa. at 4:00 p.m.
 
Twenty-Minute Flurry
The Falcons opened Wednesday's match at a feverish pace with five goals in the first 20 minutes of play. Kylie Firestone got things started with a cross that knocked off a defender into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the third minute. From there, Kenzie Spodnik curled a left-footed shot around the keeper and inside the left post for a 2-0 lead in the 10th minute.  
 
In the 14th minute, Korinne Kovatch and Kylie Firestone played a little give and go. The feed sprung Firestone loose down the right side. She got all the way to the end line and sent a low center pass to Kovatch in the middle of the box. Kovatch got a foot on the feed and redirected it past the keeper, pushing Messiah's lead to 3-0.
 
Julia Martin sent a beautiful cross to the head of Rachael Tirjan in the 19th minute. Martin took a strong touch to her right to get around her defender and then sent the delivery to the left-side of the box where Tirjan waited. Tirjan's header was placed perfectly out of the keeper's reach for a four-goal advantage.
 
Just 40 seconds after Tirjan's goal, Ella Arace got in on the action. Kenzie Spodnik chased down a feed from Kristina Akselsen at the end line. After dancing around her defender, Spodnik sent a feed to Arace, who slipped a shot past the keeper and into the back of the net for her first career goal.
 
Messiah would hold the 5-0 advantage through halftime despite heavy pressure throughout the remaining 25 minutes of the half.
 
Adding A Sixth
Late in the match, on their 20th shot of the second half, Kenzie Spodnik connected off of a feed from Lydia Ring from outside the box. Spodnik with her left foot tucked a shot under the bar for the sixth and final tally of the evening, give Messiah a 6-0 victory.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back in action on Saturday evening when they take on the Alvernia Golden Wolves at 4:00 p.m. on the road in their second MAC Commonwealth match of the season.