READING, Pa. – Despite heavy pressure throughout the contest, the No. 2-ranked Messiah women's soccer team needed two tallies late in the second half to earn a 2-0 victory over the Alvernia Golden Wolves on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons dominated possession and opportunities throughout the entirety of the match, holding a 27-2 advantage in shots, but were unable to find the back of the net until the 76th minute.
 
The first of two goals came off the head of Julia Martin off a cross from Bella Touzeau. Just six minutes later, Brianna Seip knocked home an insurance goal for the Falcons to give Messiah the 2-0 victory.
 
With the win, Messiah improves to 10-0-2 on the season and will be back in action on Wednesday when they host the York Spartans on Shoemaker Field at 7:00 p.m.
 
Falcons Control Opening Half
The Falcons fired 11 shots in the opening half, putting four on frame but came up scoreless in the first 45 minutes. During the first half, Alvernia was held without a shot.
 
Second-Half Pressure
In the second half, Messiah continued their pursuit of a goal. After the break, Messiah began putting more of their attempts on frame and becoming more and more dangerous with their chances. Through 25 minutes of action in the second half, Messiah had five shots on goal saved.
 
Against the run of play, Alvernia had a quality look in the 71st minute. Off a turnover in the midfield, Alvernia pushed forward and had a shot from the right side of the box sent toward the left post by Tessa Pillsbury. Ava Wert was ready, snatching the ball out of the air for her only save of the day.
 
Breaking Through
In the 76th minute the Falcons finally broke through. Messiah pushed possession forward into the corner on the left side. Bella Touzeau picked up possession after a cross attempt by the Falcons blocked. Touzeau delivered a cross toward the back post for Julia Martin. Diving to the turf, Martin got a head on the delivery and just got it over the goal line for a 1-0 Messiah lead. It looked for a moment that the Alvernia keeper was going to make the save, but the shot trickled in for the goal.
 
Messiah continued to keep the pressure on the Golden Wolves. Just six minutes later, Brianna Seip connected on a deflected ball in the middle of the box. The tally was Seip's fifth goal of the year and gave Messiah a 2-0 lead.
 
What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah improves to 10-0-2 on the season and will be back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 12 when they host the York Spartans at 7:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.