GRANTHAM, Pa. - The No. 3 Messiah women's soccer team connected on a pair of late goals from Rachael Tirjan and Hannah Adair to break a 1-1 tie and earn an exciting 3-1 victory over the McDaniel Green Terror on Shoemaker Field on Wednesday evening. Kristina Akselsen scored in the 38th minute to put the Falcons on top 1-0, but a penalty kick goal from the Green Terror leveled the match early in the second half.

Messiah held an 11-3 advantage in shots, but needed scores from Tirjan and Adair in the 84th and 88th minutes, respectively, to lift the Falcons to their fourth victory of the season.

With the win, Messiah moves to 4-0-1 and will be back in action on Saturday night when they host the Wilkes Colonels at 7:30 p.m. in a non-conference match on Shoemaker Field.

Falcons Tally First
Messiah held the better quality of possession throughout the first half, but were held to just four shots in the first 45 minutes of play. The Falcons registered the first two attempts of the match in the 12th and 18th minutes. Julia Martin's shot in the 12th minute was saved while Kayla Herr's attempt in the 18th minute went right.
 
While the Green Terror had limited looks in the opening half, they made their chances dangerous. In the 28th minute Taylor Clawson ripped a shot that missed the right post by inches. Just moments later, Allison Storm had her shot saved in the 32nd minute by Ava Wert.
 
Messiah found their moment of brilliance in the 38th minute off the foot of Kristina Akselsen. It was two quick passes at the top of the box that led to the rip from Akselsen well outside the box. Hannah Adair touched a ball to Bella Touzeau right around the top of the 18. Touzeau dropped off possession to Akselsen, who ripped a one-timer to the right post from about 22 yards out. Akselsen's tally was her first of the year and gave Messiah a 1-0 lead.
 
That 1-0 lead held into the half.

Green Terror Level the Match
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, McDaniel leveled the match with a penalty kick. Messiah was whistled for a foul on the right side of the box and Jessica Weinoldt finished off the penalty and tied the match at 1-1.
 
Things stood even for the next 30 minutes of the match, despite four shots and a corner kick from the Falcons.
 
Two Tallies Lift Falcons to Victory
In the 84th minute Hannah Adair attempted a shot from outside the box on the right side. While her initial shot was blocked, it went right to the feet of Rachael Tirjan at the top of the box. Tirjan struck her shot to the right post, past a diving keeper and into the back of the net for a 2-1 Messiah lead.
 
With the Green Terror pushing forward looking for the equalizer once again, Messiah found an insurance goal from 40 yards out from Hannah Adair. The McDaniel keeper came out of the box to clear the ball. Her clearance went right to Hannah Adair, who took a quick shot from 40 yards out. The McDaniel keeper hustled back to the shot, but was unable to handle the attempt as it trickled over the goal line for a 3-1 Messiah lead.
 
The Falcons would earn the 3-1 victory to move to 4-0-1 on the season.
 
What's Up Next
Messiah will be back in action when they host the Wilkes Colonels on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.