GRANTHAM, Pa. – The fifth-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team defeated the Fighting Scot of Gordon College, 6-1 in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Falcons got the offense rolling early with a Mia Libby goal in just the second minute of the game. The Falcons added another in the eighth minute on a Kristina Akselsen volley from Addi Martin to push the Falcons lead to 2-0. Just four minutes later, Addi Martin added a goal of her own to give the Falcons a three-goal advantage. Kierstyn Fogle scored the fourth Falcons goal in the 35th minute. The Fighting Scots added a goal just a minute later to reduce the Falcons lead to 4-1 at the half. Mia Libby and Alayna Williams each added goals in the second half to give the Falcons a 6-0 win to advance to the second round.
 
Up next, the Falcons will play the Spartans of Case Western Reserve University in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, tomorrow, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m.
 
 
First Half
The Falcons looked to get on the board early. Kristina Akselsen got the ball about 25-yards from and ripped a shot on goal. The Fighting Scots' goalkeeper made the save, but Mia Libby got the rebound and sent the ball into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the second minute. The Falcons did not wait long to add to their lead. At the eight-minute mark, Tahlia Lloyd started the play with a through ball into the right side of the box to Addi Martin. Martin dribbled the ball to the end line and sent a cross to the far post to Kristina Akselsen. Akselsen volleyed the cross with her right foot and sent the ball into the top-right corner to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. The Falcons once again quickly went on the attack. This time Bella Touzeau sent a cross from the right side of the box to Addi Martin. Martin headed the ball into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead. The Falcons offense continued to out the pressure on the Fighting Scots' defense in the 35th minute. Ella Lent-Koop sent a high cross into the left side of the box to Lydia Ring. Ring headed the ball towards goal and the Fighting Scots' goalkeeper made the save, but again left a rebound. Kierstyn Fogle stepped in front of the Gordon defender and ripped a shot into the top of the goal to give the Falcons a 4-0 lead. The Fighting Scots though would not go down without a fight scoring a goal just a minute later to reduce the Falcons lead to 4-1 headed into the half.
 
Second Half
The Falcons continued to test the Gordon defense to begin the second half. Julia Martin sent a cross from the right side to the middle of the box. Mia Libby jumped up and headed the ball into the back of the goal for her second goal of the game and pushing the Falcons lead to 5-1 in the 55th minute.
 
Stats
Kristina Akselsen led the Falcons with a goal and two assists. Mia Libby totaled two goals for the Falcons. Addi Martin added a goal and an assist. Kierstyn Fogle and Alayna Williams each scored a goal. Julia Martin, Bella Touzeau, and Lydia Ring each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 22 shots with 10 shots on goal. Gordon tallied four shots with two shots on goal. The Falcons totaled nine corner kicks to the Fighting Scots zero.
 
Next
The Falcons will play the Spartans of Case Western Reserve University in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, tomorrow, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m.