GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the second-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team cruised to a 3-0 win over the ninth-ranked Herons of William Smith College. The Falcons got on the board early with a
Lydia Ring goal from
Hannah Adair to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Neither team added a goal throughout the rest of the first half, with the Falcons controlling most of the possession. The Falcons added to their lead in the 66th minute with a
Brittany Laird goal from
Mia Libby to push the Falcons lead to two. Laird added another goal in the 83rd minute from Adair to give the Falcons the 3-0 win.
Up next, the Falcons host the Lions of Penn State Berks on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 5:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.
First Half
The Herons started the game off on the attack with a pair of shots on goal, but
Ava Wert made both saves to keep the game scoreless. The Falcons then went on the attack with a shot on goal from
Addi Martin, but the Herons' goalkeeper save made the save to keep the game even. In the 13th minute, the Falcons looked for an early goal to break the scoreless tie.
Mia Libby started a play forcing a turnover in the Falcons offensive third.
Hannah Adair then quickly passed the loose ball up to
Lydia Ring near the far post. Ring then ripped a shot into the bottom-right corner to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons added more shots on goal, but the shots from Adair,
Hannah Lashley, and
Tessa Groff were all saved to keep the Falcons lead at one headed into the half.
Second Half
The Falcons continued the attack to start the second half with a shot on goal
Lydia Ring, but the Herons' goalkeeper continued to make saves to keep the score at 1-0. The Falcons though got another one past the Herons' goalkeeper in the 66th minute.
Addi Martin started the play dribbling the ball into the Falcons' offensive third. Martin and
Hannah Lashley connected on a pass and then Lashley sent the ball towards the right corner to
Tessa Groff. Groff attempted a cross that went through to the other side of the box, but
Mia Libby got to the ball first and sent another cross towards the far post.
Brittany Laird then skied up and headed the ball into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. The Falcons then looked to add to their once again with a free kick in the 83rd minute.
Bailie Dull sent the free kick into the box. After the ball bounced around a few players inside the box,
Hannah Adair popped a short pass to
Brittany Laird. Laird then sent a shot, past the diving Herons' goalkeeper, and into the bottom-right corner to give the Falcons the 3-0 lead. The Falcons defense shut down the Herons' offense in the second half, allowing zero shots in the final 45 minutes.
Stats
Brittany Laird led the Falcons with two goals.
Lydia Ring scored the other goal for the Falcons.
Hannah Adair dished out two assists.
Mia Libby added an assist. The Falcons totaled 17 shots with nine shots on goal. The Herons' tallied three shots with two shots on goal. Both teams tallied a corner kick each.
Ava Wert earned the shutout win for the Falcons with two saves. The Falcons defense did not allow a shot for the final 87 minutes after allowing three shots in the first three minutes.
Next
The Falcons host the Lions of Penn State Berks on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 5:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field.
