GRANTHAM, Pa. – The eighth-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team poured on eight goals to defeat the Bulldogs of DeSales University, 8-1, on Wednesday evening. The Falcons got on the board early in the 15th minute with a goal from Addi Martin, assisted by Thea Neimond. The Bulldogs responded with a goal in the 27th minute to tie the game at one. The Falcons answered back with goals from Thea Neimond and Hannah Adair in the next two minutes to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead. Adair added another goal in the 24th minute to push the Falcons lead to 4-1 at the half. The Falcons continued to roll in the second half, Kristina Akselsen and Brittany Laird added a goal each to give the Falcons a 5-1 lead in the 54th minute. After a DeSales own goal, Kierstyn Fogle added the final tally in the 88th minute to cap off the Falcons 8-1 win.
 
Up next, the Falcons travel to Frederick, Md. to take on the Blazers of Hood College on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 4:00 p.m.

First Half
The Falcons dominated from the start, rattling off six shots in the first 12 minutes with Bella Touzeau, Thea Neimond, and Mia Libby each getting shots on goal, but each shot was saved by the Bulldogs goalkeeper. The Falcons though could not be held off the scoreboard for much longer. After some passing by. The Falcons defense switched the fields, Thea Neimond dribbled the ball from just past midfield all the way to the left post. Neimond then sent a quick pass and Addi Martin hit a one-timer into the top-left corner to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs answered back with a goal in the 27th minute to tie the game at one. The Falcons though answered back less than a minute later. Thea Neimond rocketed a shot that deflected off a defender's foot just inside the box and popped up over the Bulldogs goalkeeper's head to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. The Falcons looked to add to their lead just a minute later. Lexi Sarago sent a cross and Hannah Lashley headed the ball over towards the left post. After a couple of bounces, Hannah Adair sent a shot into the bottom-right corner to give the Falcons a 3-1 lead. The Falcons weren't finished in the first half as Thea Neimond poked a ball into the box. Hannah Adair gathered the ball, moved to her left past a defender, and sent a shot into the bottom-left corner to push the Falcons lead to 4-1 at the half.
 
Second Half
The Falcons started the second half with some quick offense. Just 59 seconds into the second half, Kristina Akselsen shook off a defender just out the box and then ripped a shot into the top-right corner to give the Falcons a 5-1 lead. The Falcons continued to push the pace and looked to add to their lead in the 54th minute. Thea Neimond sent a cross across the box and Bella Touzeau gathered the ball. Touzeau sent a pass that trickled right in front of the goal and Brittany Laird tapped the ball into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 6-1 lead. The Falcons added to their lead in the 55th minute after a Touzeau cross was put into the goal from Bulldogs defender for an own goal. Kierstyn Fogle added a goal in the 88th minute to put the finishing touch on the Falcons 8-1 win.
 
Stats
Hannah Adair led the Falcons with two goals. Thea Neimond totaled a goal and two assists. Addi Martin, Brittany Laird, Kristina Akselsen, and Kierstyn Fogle each added a goal. Bella Touzeau and Hannah Lashley each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 34 shots with 19 shots on goal. DeSales totaled 4 shots with three shots on goal. Messiah earned six corners to DeSales with two. Ava Wert earned the win in goal for the Falcons with two saves. Izzy Pizzuto also earned time in goal for the Falcons.
 
Next
The Falcons travel to Frederick, Md. to take on the Blazers of Hood College on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 4:00 p.m.