CARLISLE, Pa. – Two goals in the first six minutes of the second half, lifted the No. 5 Messiah women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over the Dickinson Red Devils on Wednesday night. Hannah Adair and Julia Martin found the back of the net for the Falcons. Adair struck first, scoring off a free kick from just outside the box in the 47th minute. Four minutes later, Bella Touzeau found the head of Julia Martin on a corner kick for Messiah's second tally early in the second half.
 
The Falcons dominated the territory battle, holding a 15-2 advantage in shots. Messiah put seven attempts on frame against holding the Red Devils without a shot on goal.
 
With the victory, Messiah improves to 6-2-0 on the season and will be back in action on Saturday when they begin MAC Commonwealth play at Albright at 4:30p.m.
 
Scoreless First Half
The Falcons were on the front foot throughout much of the opening half, attempting eight shots in the first 45 minutes of play. During the opening period, the Falcons held the Red Devils without a shot. Despite control of possession and owning the territory battle, Messiah was unable to find the back of the net with the Dickinson keeper making a trio of saves.
 
In the sixth minute, Kristina Akselsen had a shot turned away before Hannah Adair had saves made against her in the 10th and 14th minutes.
 
After 45 minutes of play, the match remained scoreless.
 
Second-Half Scores
Messiah wasted little time getting on the board in the second half, scoring two goals in the first six minutes of the half. Hannah Adair got things started in the 47th minute, scoring off a free kick from a little over 20 yards away. After a foul outside the box, Adair ripped a shot as the defense was still organizing, beating the keeper high for a 1-0 lead.
 
Less than four minutes later in the 51st minute, the Falcons earned a corner kick. Bella Touzeau took the kick from the left side, sending the delivery into the box toward the far post for Julia Martin. With defenders on either side of her, Martin elevated for the head, sending it back to the left post with pace. The header found the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
 
The four-minute stretch produced all of the offense on the night, but it was enough for the Falcons as Messiah earned the 2-0 victory.
 
What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah improves to 6-2-0 on the season and they will be back on the pitch this weekend when they head to Reading to take on the Albright Lions in their first match of the 2023 conference slate. Messiah and Albright are scheduled to meet at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.