Story Courtesy of Messiah Athletics

GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Friday afternoon, the eighth-ranked Messiah University women's soccer team used a game-winner from Bailie Dull to defeat the twenty-third ranked Knights of Calvin University. The Falcons sent 13 shots towards the goal in the first half but could not find the back of the net and the scored remained tied at the break. The Falcons scored a goal in the 77th minute from Bailie Dull to take a 1-0 lead. Ava Wert was brilliant in goal for the Falcons making seven second half saves to give the Falcons the 1-0 shutout win.
 
Up next, the Falcons host the top-ranked Bears of WashU in the Elite Eight, on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m.

First Half
The Falcons opened the game strong with two shots on goal from Hannah Adair and a shot on goal from Mia Libby, but each shot was saved by the Knights goalkeeper to keep the game tied in the 10th minute. The Falcons continued to put pressure on the Knights defense and Brittany Laird and Libby each sent a shot on goal, but the Knights' keeper made two more saves to keep the Falcons off the board in the 26th minute. The Falcons added two more shots in the first half from Laird and Lydia Ring but each shot was saved by the Knights goalkeeper to keep the game scoreless headed into the break.
 
Second Half
The Knights opened the second half with a great chance. After the Knights' shot rang off the cross bar, another knight sent a shot towards the bottom-right corner, but Ava Wert made a diving save to prevent Calvin from taking the lead. The Falcons then went on the attack and Mia Libby sent a shot on goal, but the shot was saved and the score remained 0-0 in the 52nd minute. The back-and-forth play continued as the Knights got another chance in the 57th minute, but Ava Wert made another save to prevent Calvin from scoring. In the 74th minute, the Knights got their next two chances, but Ava Wert again made a pair of saves to keep the game scoreless. The Falcons then looked to break the scoreless tie in the 77th minute. After a Messiah throw-in, Tahlia Lloyd gathered the ball in the midfield and sent the ball to Lydia Ring. Ring and Addi Martin then played a give-and-go and ring then sent the ball inside the box to Brittany Laird. Laird sent a shot on goal, but the Knights' goalkeeper made the initial save. After the ball bounced off a few played, Bailie Dull ripped a shot into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Knights looked to respond in the 78th minute. The Knights initially scored a goal, but after the referees discussed the play, they determined the ball did not cross the goal line and the Falcons held on to the 1-0 lead. Ava Wert made three more saves the rest of the way and the Falcons earned a hard fought 1-0 win to advance to the Elite Eight.
 
Stats
Bailie Dull scored the game-winner for the Falcons in the 77th minute. The Falcons totaled 23 shots with 11 shots on goal. The Knights tallied 13 shots with eight shots on goal. Calvin earned 10 corner kicks to the Falcons' eight. Ava Wert earned the shutout win in goal for the Falcons and made seven saves.
 
Next
The Falcons host the top-ranked Bears of WashU in the Elite Eight, on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m.