Story Courtesy of Messiah Athletics

GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, the eighth-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team used a six-goal flurry to defeat the Huskies of the University of Southern Maine, 6-1 to advance to NCAA Tournament Second Round. The Falcons opened the scoring with a goal from Addi Martin by Ella Lent-Koop in the 13th minute. The Falcons extend their lead to two in the 29th minute with a goal from Brittany Laird by Alayna Williams. The Falcons added their third goal of the first half with Tahlia Lloyd scoring the goal from Hannah Lashley to extend the Falcons lead to 3-0 at the half. The Huskies looked to mount a comeback and scored a goal in the 50th minute to reduce the Falcons lead to two. The Falcons extended their lead back to three with an Addi Martin goal in the 64th minute. The Falcons added a goal from Kenzie Derstine and Brittany Laird to close out the Falcons 6-1 win.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the winner of Amherst College and Cortland in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1:00 p.m.

First Half
The Falcons opened the game looking for an early goal in the fifth minute. Addi Martin ripped a shot towards the goal, but the shot rang off the crossbar and the game remained scoreless early. The Falcons continued to control possession and looked to get on the board in the 13th minute. Ella Lent-Koop started the play by playing into the corner to Lexi Sarago. Sarago passed the ball back to Lent-Koop and she sent a cross in front of the goal. Addi Martin skied up and headed the ball into the right corner of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons continued the pressure on the Huskies' defense with shots on goal from Hannah Adair and Martin, but each shot was saved to keep the Falcons lead at one in the 23rd minute. The Falcons looked to add to their lead in the 29th minute with a free kick. Tahlia Lloyd played the free kick towards the right corner to Alayna Williams. Williams made a move past a Huskies' defender, towards the end line and sent a cross in front of the goal. Brittany Laird jumped up and headed the ball into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead. The Falcons offense continued to push the pace and earned a corner kick in the 36th minute. Hannah Lashley sent the corner into the box and Tahlia Lloyd volleyed the ball into the back of the goal to extend the Falcons lead to three. Lydia Ring added a shot on goal, but a Huskies' defender prevented the shot from going into the goal and the Falcons took a 3-0 lead into the break.
 
Second Half
The Huskies looked to start a comeback with a goal in the 49th minute to reduce the Falcons lead to 3-1. The Falcons added to their lead in the 64th minute after Addi Martin stole the ball from a Huskies' defender and dribbled from the midfield line all the way to goal and sent a shot past the Huskies' goalkeeper. Brittany Laird added a goal in the 69th minute from Bailie Dull to extend the Falcons lead to 5-1. Kenzie Derstine capped off the scoring for the Falcons with a goal in the 89th minute to give the Falcons the 6-1 win.
 
Stats
Brittany Laird and Addi Martin each led the Falcons with two goals. Kenzie Derstine and Tahlia Lloyd each added a goal. Bailie Dull, Hannah Lashley, Ella Lent-Koop, and Alayna Williams each tallied an assist. The Falcons totaled 27 shots with 12 shots on goal. The Huskies totaled two shots on goal. The Falcons earned all 10 corner kicks in the game. Ava Wert started in goal for the Falcons. Ellie Ockrin also earned time in goal and made one save.
 
Next
The Falcons host the twenty-fifth ranked Mammoths of Amherst College in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1:00 p.m.