READING, Pa. – On Tuesday evening, the fifth-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team used four goals in the second half to defeat the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University, 5-0. The Falcons opened the game strong controlling possession but could not find the back of the net. Kaitlyn Laird broke the scoreless tie in the 38th minute with a goal from Thea Neimond to put the Falcons up 1-0 at the half. Just two minutes into the second half, Brittany Laird added to the Falcons lead with a goal from Mia Libby to put the Falcons up by two. Just two minutes later, Addi Martin added another goal from Libby to push the Falcons lead to three. Kristina Akselsen added a goal just 49 seconds later to push the Falcons lead to four. The Falcons scored their final goal in the 58th minute with a goal from Bella Touzeau to give the Falcons the 5-0 win.
 
Up next, the Falcons return to Shoemaker Field to take on the Mustangs on Stevenson University on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 5:00 p.m.
 
First Half
The Falcons dominated possession in the first half right from the opening whistle. With the controlled possession, the Falcons rattled off three scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes with Mia Libby, Tahlia Lloyd, and Hannah Adair all getting shots on goal, but each shot was saved by the Alvernia goalkeeper. The Falcons though looked to finally breakthrough in the 38th minute. The Falcons started the play with some great midfield passing between a couple of Falcons. Eventually Kristina Akselsen got the ball and sent a through ball into the left side of the box to Thea Neimond. Neimond sent a shot that went off the right post, but the ball bounced right to Kaitlyn Laird. Laird then just tapped the ball in to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Hannah Adair and Laird each got one more shot on goal before the half, but the Falcons could not get another shot behind the Golden Wolves' goalkeeper to keep the score at 1-0 at the break.
 
Second Half
The Falcons opened the second half looking to add to their one-goal lead. Just two minutes into the second half, Mia Libby sent a through ball to the right side of the box to Brittany Laird. Laird took a dribbled and then sent a shot towards the goal and the ball bounced off the goalies' hands and into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. Just two more minutes later the Falcons looked to get on the board again. Mia Libby got the ball in the center of the box and ripped a shot on goal. The shot was saved by the Alvernia goalkeeper, but the rebound went to Addi Martin, and she put the ball into the back of the goal to increase the Falcons lead to 3-0 in the 50th minute. The Falcons offense was not finished. After forcing a turnover off the restart, the Falcons offense got back to work. Jenna Skurcenski passed it to Kristina Akselsen in the midfield. Akselsen with ton of space to work with dribbled all the way down from around midfield to 25 yards away from goal and ripped a shot into the bottom-right corner to give the Falcons a 4-0 lead. In the 58th minute, Addi Martin sent a through ball into the left side of the box to Bella Touzeau. Touzeau then sent a shot past the Alvernia goalkeeper and into the back of the goal to push the Falcons lead to 5-0.
 
Stats
Addi Martin led the Falcons with a goal and an assist. Mia Libby tallied two assists. Kaitlyn Laird, Brittany Laird, Kristina Akselsen, and Bella Touzeau each added a goal. Thea Neimond and Jenna Skurcenski each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 40 shots with 14 shots on goal. The Falcons defense shut down the Golden Wolves attack, allowing zero shots. The Falcons earned all eight corner kicks in the game. Ava Wert started in goal for the Falcons and earned the win. Izzy Pizzuto also earned time in goal for the Falcons.
 
Next
The Falcons return to Shoemaker Field to take on the Mustangs on Stevenson University on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 5:00 p.m.