GLENSIDE, PA: (Oct. 9, 2010) - Defending league and Division III national champions #1 Messiah College held on for 3-1 victory over Arcadia University in Commonwealth Conference women's soccer action Saturday afternoon in Glenside. The Falcons (11-0, 1-0 CC) remain undefeated on the season and in their past 63 chances. The loss for #7 Arcadia (9-3-1, 1-1 CC) ends their 10 game undefeated streak.
The first half saw both teams unable to finish the limited offensive opportunities either team's defense would allow. Sophomore keeper Jackie Law (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains Fanwood) turned aside shots from Messiah's Amanda Naeher and Emily Schneider, the Falcons lone two shots on goal of the first half. Arcadia's Janelle Jablonski (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) connected on the Knights only shot of the first half but the breeze carried it high over the goal.
Defensive play continued to be the Knight's focus, after allowing Messiah just four looks in the first half, Arcadia held the Falcons off the board until the 50th minute of play when Messiah's Alicia Frey beat Law from the right side into the left corner for the 1-0 Falcon lead. That lead however was short-lived as just two minutes later Arcadia first year Rachel Dolly (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) placed her free kick opportunity over the head of Falcon keeper Autumn Reilly from 30 yards out to knot the score at 1-1. Arcadia would be unable to generate any further scoring chances from that point on while Naeher, whose first half shot on Law was denied, was able to convert one when she connected for her league leading 16th goal of the season at 68:42. The Falcons would tack on a third score at 76:08. Alex Brandt rifled a shot from 10 yards out that sailed into the left side of the net for a 3-1 Messiah lead.
The Falcons finished the game with a 11-2 advantage in shots and 1-0 edge in corner opportunities. Law made 4 saves in goal for Arcadia.
The Knights return to play this Wednesday, hosting Widener University in Commonwealth Conference play at 4 PM on the New Field.
