GRANTHAM, Pa. - Eastern University women's soccer fell to nationally ranked No. 19 Messiah College on Thursday night by the final score of 2-0. The Falcons netted goals in both halves to earn the victory.
Messiah (3-2) scored goals in the 45th and 71st minutes of the match. The Falcons totaled 20 shots in the match placing six on net while Eastern (1-5) recorded four.
"Coming into tonight, I did not know what we would have left in the tank," said Head Coach
Dan Mouw. "I was very pleased with the effort we put forward tonight against a top-level program."
The Falcons got off to a quick start tallying five shots in the first eight minutes of the match. However,
Adrianna Rowlands and the Eagles defense stood strong blocking two while three sailed wide.
Alondra Cervantes found space just outside the box in the 26th minute. She eluded one tackle and was fouled by a second defender to give the Eagles a chance to take the lead from 22 yards out.
Emily Cole's free kick sailed over crossbar.
In the 32nd minute, Eastern earned a corner kick.
Courtney Davis played a beautiful ball into the box. After a pair of Eagles challenged for the ball in front of the goal,
Katy Laurie collected the ball on the back post and ripped a low shot. Messiah goalkeeper Sara Yunez made the save at the near post.
A goal in the 45th minute gave the Falcons the 1-0 lead heading into the break.
"It was a really tough break to give up a goal so late in the first half," continued Mouw. "Our leaders did a great job responding to that. We played very hard tonight, and we were able to create chances with that work."
In the second half, Messiah looked to build on its lead. In the opening minute of the period, the hosts fired one shot off the top of the crossbar.
Leah Lozzi was in postion to make a save on the rebound attempt. In the 52nd minute,
Sia Kontanis looked to pull Eastern even but saw her shot attempt blocked leaving the deficit at one.
The Falcons doubled their lead with a 71st minute tally in transition.
"We had started to push out," Mouw added. "and they were able to find time in the midfield and caught us a little high against their number ten."
Rowlands had one save in the first half, and Lozzi made a pair of stops in in the second. The Falcons also held the edge in corner kicks 7-2.
"It was a total team effort," concluded Mouw. "Our goal is to match the intensity we brought tonight in every game we play."
Eastern will travel to Rosemont College on September 17th for a 10 a.m. match.
