CORTLAND, N.Y. - The No. 5 Messiah women's soccer team scored a penalty kick goal in the 72nd minute for the only goal in the Second Round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. That was all the Falcons would need as the Messiah defense held the Wesleyan Cardinals scoreless to earn a 1-0 victory on the afternoon. With the win, Messiah moves into next weekend's Sweet 16 against Emory Eagles, who advanced past the Centre Colonels on Sunday afternoon with penalty kicks.
 
Korinne Kovatch was the goal scorer for the Falcons, tallying her seventh tally of the season.
 
Playing in strengthening snowstorm, the Falcons held a 10-5 advantage in shots over the Cardinals, including an 8-3 edge after the half. Messiah will find out where they are playing later this evening or early tomorrow morning.
 
How It Happened
The bulk of the opening half was played in the midfield with both the Falcons and Cardinals attempting just two shots each. The first of two Falcons' shots came in the 13th minute when Julia Martin sent an attempt high. A second followed in the 23rd minute when a Kenzie Spodnik shot was blocked.
 
A final four team last year, Wesleyan took two shots in the first half with their attempts coming in the 19th and 35th minutes. Both shots were blocked and came off of corner kicks, the only two of the half for either team.
 
In the second half, Messiah came out with a little more wind in their sails, despite the snow showers turning into more of a storm after the break. While Wesleyan attempted two shots in the first five minutes, it was the Falcons with the more dangerous opportunities as the half wore on. In the 51st minute, Rachael Tirjan had the first shot on goal of the match, but it was saved.
 
Later in the half, the Falcons attempted five shots in a five-minute span with Hannah Adair hitting the crossbar and shots from Korinne Kovatch and Adair off corner kicks saved.
 
Then in the 72nd minute, Messiah found their moment. Attempting to turn at the top of the box, Brianna Seip was taken down by a defender from behind. The result was a penalty kick for the Falcons. Korinne Kovatch was called upon to take the attempt, burying the shot and giving Messiah a 1-0 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.
 
With snow continuing to pick up, Messiah was able to hold off any late attempts from the Cardinals and earned a 1-0 victory.
 
What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah advances to their 20th Sweet 16 in program history where they will take on the Emory Eagles next Saturday at a time and location to be determined. Messiah has met Emory on two previous occasions. The Falcons are 1-1-0 all-time against the Eagles. Most recently, the Falcons won the 2012 National Championship over Emory by a 1-0 final score on Dec. 1, 2012.