GRANTHAM, Pa. - The No. 8 Messiah women's soccer team earned a dominant, 5-0 victory over the Eastern Eagles on Homecoming to open conference play. The Falcons shared the wealth with four different goal scorers and earned the victory after an own goal. Addi Martin started the scoring with Brittany Laird, Lexi Sarago, and Kierstyn Fogle also tallying in the opening half. The Falcons also took advantage of an own goal by the Eagles in the 40th minute as Messiah improves to 6-1-3 on the season and starts the conference slate 1-0-0.

In the game, the Falcons held a 21-3 advantage in shots over the Eagles, with all three of Eastern's shots coming in the 76th minute.

The Falcons will be back in action on Wednesday when they host the DeSales Bulldogs on Shoemaker Field at 7:00 p.m.

Commanding First-Half Lead
The Falcons wasted little time jumping all over the Eagles with a shot on frame by Addi Martin. While the first shot of the game was saved, the Falcons followed up with a pair of attempts by Julia Martin that were saved in the seventh minute. Addi Martin broke the seal in the 13th minute with her third goal of the season.

The play developed with Lydia Ring taking a long feed in the corner on the right side in front of the Falcons' bench. Ring delivered a low cross to Martin on the near post who took a one-touch chip over the keeper for a 1-0 Messiah lead early in the contest.

Just five minutes later, the Falcons created a nearly identical opportunity. This time it was Julia Martin that carried possession into the right corner, but instead of sending a low cross, Martin lofted a hig ball toward the back post where Brittany Laird waited. Laird finished with the left foot for a 2-0 Falcons advantage. The tally was Laird's fifth of the season and fourth in the last four games.

The Falcons continued to pressure the Eagles' defense, breaking through with their third goal of the afternoon in the 32nd minute off the left foot of Lexi Sarago. On the right-side of the box, Alayna Williams controlled possession with a defender on her back. Creating space, Williams opened up to the middle of the field and slipped a ball to Sarago at the top of the box. After a controlling touch, Sarago unleashed a left-footed strike that pushed Messiah's lead to 3-0 with plenty of time left in the opening half.

An own goal in the 40th minute pushed Messiah's lead to 4-0, but the Falcons were not done in the opening period. Kierstyn Fogle netted the fifth and final goal of the period just three minutes later in the 43rd minute. At the top of the box, Fogle pulled a ball back to lose her defender before skipping a shot past the keeper for a 5-0 lead.

Cruising to Victory
With a 5-0 lead, the Falcons were able to take their foot off the gas in the final 45 minutes, but Messiah did hold a 5-3 advantage in shots in the period. The Falcons put three attempts on frame against just one from Eastern in the second half.

The Eagles bunched all three of their shots together in the 76th minute with Izzy Pizzuto called on to make the only save by a Falcons' goalie.

Ava Wert got the start in goal, playing 67 minute between the pipes, but did not face a shot.

What's Up Next
As mentioned, the Falcons improved to 6-1-3 on the season and start the conference slate with a record of 1-0-0. After a 1-1-3 start to the season, Messiah has rolled to five-straight victories and will be back in action on Wednesday when they host the DeSales Bulldogs for a non-conference game at 7:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.