GRANTHAM, PA. -- The Amherst College women's soccer team dialed up its guttiest performance of the 2025 season Sunday at Shoemaker Field, but a goal in the game's 8th minute stood the test of time and host Messiah University -- ranked #8 in the country -- was able to post a 1-0 victory in an NCAA Div. III Tournament second-round contest. 

#25 Amherst's season comes to an end with an 11-5-2 record. The Falcons (21-2-0) advance to play Calvin College in a Sweet 16 match-up on a day and time to be determined. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* Messiah came at Amherst right away, and after Mammoth goalkeeper Lulu Fickes stopped a shot by Mia Libby, a rebound collected by Falcon Alayna Williams was sent toward the open goal at the right post, but Mammoth Katie Pedersen was there to block it and keep the game scoreless. 

* Amherst quickly countered with four shots in a three-minute period, three by Jessica Lomo, whose speed gave the Falcons some measure of concern in the opening half. None of those shots were on goal, a factor all day as the Mammoths had 16 shots in the loss, but only five on goal. 

* The wind played a role in how the game was played, with gusts up into the 40s at points in the first half. Amherst had the wind at its back in the opening five minutes, but Messiah was able to play the ball on the ground effectively to clear their defensive third time and time again.

* The Falcons scored against the wind in the eighth minute for the deciding goal.  Falcons' goalkeeper Ava Wert  started the play, booting the ball to the midfield line to Addi Martin. Martin poked the ball forward to Hannah Adair, and she quickly played a ball to the outside to Williams. Williams took a couple of dribbles towards the right corner of the box and sent a pass to Martin just outside the box. Martin quickly moved the ball to the center of the box to Adair. Adair then floated a one-timer into the right corner of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

* Amherst did not panic, and wound up playing a very fine defensive game against the high-scoring Falcons, who netted six goals in a first-round win over SUNY-Delhi Saturday. Back Ella Johnson, Sofia Preuss and Mekhala Costello were adept at tracking down loose balls and stripping Falcons' attackers of possession. Midfielders Sophia Haynes, Kate Quigley, Katie O'Reilly, Brooke Ingemi and Pedersen lent plenty of support in an effort to slow the Falcons' attack down. 

* The Mammoths slowly gained momentum and were at their best offensively in the final 20 minutes of the first half. Pedersen had a direct shot on goal that was saved by Wert with 22 minutes to go, and Haynes had one that Wertz snared. Lomo, Danso and Pedersen had consecutive shots blocked down the stretch, two of which were blocked and resulted in corner kick opportunities for the Mammoths. But Messiah's backline was very quick and skilled at stepping in front of shots, physically getting Amherst off the ball and clearing their third. 

Against the wind in the second half, the Mammoths continued to move the ball forward, but their shots from the 20-to-30 yard range that were dangerous in the first half were a bit less against the mighty wind, and Wert was able to navigate them well. Amherst had two shots on goal in the final 45 minutes, one by Haynes in the 56th minute and the final off the foot of Ingemi from 20 yards out that was directly at Wert, who made the save. 

BY THE NUMBERS:

* Messiah finished with a 19-16 edge in shots overall. Each team had 5 shots on goal. Wertz made 5 saves and Fickes 4. 

* Each team also had 5 corner kicks. Amherst had 8 fouls and Messiah 7.