GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Tuesday evening, the top-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team used a four-goal first half to defeat the Nittany Lions of Penn St. Abington, 5-0. The Falcons opened the game strong with a goal from Addi Martin from Brittany Laird in the third minute to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons scored their second goal just 23 on a Hannah Adair goal from Mia Libby to push the Falcons lead to two. Addi Martin scored her second goal of the night from Lexi Sarago in the 11th minute to extend the Falcons lead to 3-0. Alayna Williams capped off the scoring in the first half with a goal in the 13th minute from Addi Martin to give the Falcons a 4-0 lead going into the break. Hannah Lashley added a goal from Lydia Ring in the 50th minute to push the Falcons lead to 5-0. The Falcons controlled possession the rest of the way and earned the 5-0 win.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the Pride of Widener University on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field for homecoming game.

First Half
The Falcons opened the game looking for an early goal. Lydia Ring started the Falcons attacked with a long pass to Brittany Laird streaking towards the far corner. Laird then worked a give and go with Hannah Adair and Laird then sent a cross from just inside the box towards the front of the goal. Addi Martin cut in front of two Nittany Lions' defenders and drilled the shot into the top of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. After the Falcons got the ball back from the Nittany Lions from the kickoff, Messiah quickly went back on the attack. Tahlia Lloyd sent a long pass to Mia Libby who went on a run towards the near corner. Libby quickly sent a pass towards the top of the box and Hannah Adair ripped a one-timer into the back of the goal to push the Falcons lead to two. The Falcons offense did not stop there as they looked to add to their lead in the 10th minute. After the Nittany Lions cleared the ball out of bounds, Lydia Ring quickly threw the ball in to Lexi Sarago. Sarago then sent a cross to the front of the goal and Addi Martin headed the ball into the bottom-right corner to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead. The Falcons added to their lead in the 13th minute of a Alayna Williams goal from Addi Martin to extend the Falcons lead to 4-0 just 13 minutes into the game. The Falcons controlled possession throughout the remainder of the first half but did not add to their lead and took a 4-0 lead into the break.
 
Second Half
The Falcons looked to push the pace again to start the second half. Hannah Lashley extended the Falcons lead in the 50th minute with a long-range strike from Lydia Ring to push the Messiah lead to 5-0. The Falcons got shots on goal from Morgan Graham and Hannah Adair but could not add another goal and Messiah earned the 5-0 win.
 
Stats
Addi Martin led the Falcons with two goals and an assist. Hannah Adair, Hannah Lashley, and Alayna Williams each scored a goal for the Falcons. Brittany Laird, Mia Libby, Lydia Ring, and Lexi Sarago each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 33 shots with 12 shots on goal. The Falcons defense shut down the Nittany Lions attack, allowing zero shots. The Falcons earned 10 corner kicks to the Nittany Lions two. Ava Wert earned the win in goal for the Falcons. Ellie Ockrin also earned time in goal, playing the entire second half.
 
Next
The Falcons host the Pride of Widener University on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m. on Shoemaker Field for homecoming game.