GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday evening, the top-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team used a three-goal second half to defeat the fourth-ranked Cougars of Misericordia, 3-1. The Falcons had a couple of high-quality chances in the first half, but the Cougars got the lone goal in half in the 12th minute to take a 1-0 lead into the break. The Falcons tied the game in the 46th minute with a goal from Brittany Laird from Hannah Adair. In the 61st minute, the Falcons took the lead on a Tahlia Lloyd goal from Alayna Williams to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead. The Falcons added an insurance goal in the 75th minute from Addi Martin push the Falcons lead to two. The Falcons prevented any more Cougars' goals and Messiah earned the 3-1 win.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Hornets of Shenandoah University on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.

First Half
The Falcons started the game strong with a pair of shots on goal from Hannah Adair, but the Cougars' goalkeeper made two consecutive saves to keep the Falcons off the board. The Cougars though responded with a goal in the 12th minute to take an early 1-0 lead. The Falcons kept on the attack and had their best chance in the first half to tie the game in the 27th minute. Brittany Laird hit the left post twice and then an Ella Lent-Koop shot was saved on the goal line by a Cougars defender to keep the Misericordia lead at one headed into the break.
 
Second Half
The Falcons opened the second half looking for the tying goal immediately. Tahlia Lloyd brought the ball over midfield and sent a pass to Alayna Williams. Williams dribbled into the Falcons attacking third. She attempted a through ball into the box, but the ball was deflected by a Cougar defender. Hannah Adair made an athletic play popping the ball, in midair, over two Cougar defenders and to Brittany Laird. Laird poked the ball, past the sliding Cougars goalkeeper, and into the back of the goal to tie the game at one just one minute and 38 seconds into the second half. The Falcons continued to control possession as the momentum switched, and the Falcons searched for that potential game-winning goal. In the 61st minute, Alayna Williams passed the ball to Tahlia Lloyd about 10 yards outside of the box. Lloyd took a dribble and ripped a shot on goal and the ball squeaked through the hands of the Cougars goalkeeper and into the back of the goal to give the Falcons the 2-1 lead. The Falcons added another goal in the 75th minute on a strike from Addi Martin. The goal came from the left side of the box that curled up and over the Cougars' goalkeeper and into the right corner to push the Falcons lead to two. The Cougars made one last push to try and get back into the game, but Ava Wert made the save on the Cougars shot on goal and the Falcons earned the 3-1 win.
 
Stats
Brittany Laird, Tahlia Lloyd, and Addi Martin each scored a goal for the Falcons. Hannah Adair and Alayna Williams each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 22 shots with eight shots on goal. The Cougars tallied three shots with two shots on goal. The Falcons totaled 13 corner kicks to the Cougars one. Ava Wert earned the win in goal for the Falcons and made a save.
 
 
Next
The Falcons host the Hornets of Shenandoah University on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m.