GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University women's soccer team opened the 2024 season with a 0-0 draw against No. 19 Carnegie Mellon on Friday night. The Tartans had one of the best chances of the night in the 70th minute, but Bailie Dull made a sliding stop that bounced off the post and out of harm's way to keep the score tied. The Falcons also had their chances with four shots on goal, including a late goal line clearance from the Tartans defense, after a Falcons corner kick to prevent Messiah from taking the lead. 
 
Up next, the Falcons host No. 17 Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7:00 p.m.
 
First Half
After a slow to the game, the Falcons got their first quality chance in the 24th minute. Hannah Adair sent a ball into the box and Brittany Laird attempted to jump and play the ball with her foot. Laird got a piece of the ball, but with the jump and contact from a Tartan defender, she could not get enough power to make it past the Tartan goalkeeper. The Falcons back line shut down the Tartan offense allowing only two off-target shots in the first half.
 
Second Half
The Falcons earned a great in the 66th to break the scoreless tie with a corner kick. Kristina Akselsen sent the corner into the box and after a deflection, Brittany Laird sent a header towards the net but went right into the hands of the Tartan goalkeeper. The Tartans earned their best chance in the 71st minute. After a mix up in the box, the Tartans played a ball right in front of the net, but Bailie Dull made a sliding play to knock the ball off the post and out of harm's way. The Falcons earned four corner kicks in the final 10 minutes, but the best chance came in the 83rd minute. Kristina Akselsen sent the corner into the box and after a Julia Martin shot was saved by the Tartans goalkeeper, the Falcons sent another ball towards the net, but it was cleared by a Tartans defender on the goal line.
 
Next
The Falcons host No. 17 Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7:00 p.m.