GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the seventh-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team earned their eighth-straight MAC Commonwealth Championship with a 2-0 win over the Spartans of York College. The Falcons opened the game strong with a goal from
Addi Martin by
Alayna Williams to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons continued to control possession and added to their lead in the 44th minute with a goal from
Nikki Davis by
Lilly Rineer to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the break. Neither team added a goal in the second half and the Falcons earned the 2-0 win.
With the Conference Championship, the Falcons earn an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The selection show will be held on Monday, Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m. on
NCAA.com.
First Half
The Falcons opened the game strong with a chance to break the scoreless tie in the third minute. After a cross in the box,
Alayna Williams quickly passed the ball to the top of the box to
Addi Martin. Martin sent the shot into the bottom-left corner to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons continued on the attack with a pair of shots on goal from
Alayna Williams and a shot on goal from Martin, but the Spartan goalkeeper made the save to keep the score at 1-0 in the 14th minute. After some back-and-forth play, the Falcons sent shots on goal from
Hannah Lashley, Martin, and Williams, but once again the Spartans goalkeeper made the saves to keep the score at 1-0 in 26th minute. The Spartans got a great chance in the 34th minute with a shot that looked like it was headed into the top of the goal, but
Ellie Ockrin made an excellent save to keep the Falcons lead. A minute later, the Spartans sent another shot on goal, but
Mia Libby blocked the ball to prevent the Spartans from tying the game. Just before the half, the Falcons added to their lead with a long-range goal from
Nikki Davis from
Lilly Rineer to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the break.
Second Half
The Falcons started the second-half strong with a shot on goal from
Lauren Kenny in the 56th minute, but the York goalkeeper made the save to keep the Spartans within one. Neither team added a shot on goal the rest of the way and the Falcons earned the 2-0 win.
Stats
Nikki Davis and
Addi Martin each scored a goal for the Falcons.
Lilly Rineer and
Alayna Williams each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 31 shots with 11 shots on goal. The Spartans tallied three shots with two shots on goal. Messiah earned 12 corner kicks to York's one.
Ellie Ockrin earned the shutout win in goal and made one save.
Next
With the Conference Championship, the Falcons earn an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The selection show will be held on Monday, Nov. 9 at 11:30 a.m. on NCAA.com.
