The Lions (18-0-2) staved off a stern challenge from the 2019 trophy-holders in a titanic tilt featuring a pair of legendary coaches at the helm of Division III's most successful programs. Ivonne Vazquez and Emma Pascarella scored either side of halftime before the Falcons pulled one back just past the hour mark, and despite a shot off the woodwork and some tense moments, the Lions were able to hold on and set up a date with fellow unbeaten Scranton at a site and date to be determined. The Royals eked out a 1-0 victory over SUNY Geneseo on Sunday.
The two sides engaged in an even battle for much of the afternoon, with additional moments of individual brilliance the only difference between the powerhouse programs. Messiah (17-3-1) had the best opportunities of the first period, but Alexandra Panasuk was equal to all three of the visitors' attempts on target.
Amelia Curtis nearly opened the scoring about 20 minutes in, but her high-arcing free kick from about 35 yards out landed just over the crossbar.
With a scoreless halftime looming, TCNJ seized the upper hand on a brilliant header by Vazquez. Amelia Curtis sent in a corner from the left side, and Vazquez directed a glancing header directly across the face of goal. With the ball headed for the right corner, a Messiah defender came flying in to try to clear, but deflected it into the back of the net – where it was headed anyway – to put the Lions up 1-0 with 1:30 showing on the first-half timer.
TCNJ made it two goals in less than six minutes with a quick strike just after intermission. Gianna Coppola controlled a Falcons goal kick near midfield and passed ahead for Julia Obst, who sent a cross into the run of Pascarella. The junior star took a touch with her left foot and maneuvered for a right-footed shot that rocketed into the lower left corner of the net, a stunning strike that seemed to put the Lions in total control.
The Falcons, six-time national champions, were far from finished. Rachel Tirjan connected on a laser of a left-footed shot that ripped the back of the net with just under 30 minutes to play, pulling Messiah within a single goal. The Falcons nearly pulled level at the 15-minute mark, but Tirjan's shot from a difficult angle caromed off the near post and a follow-up effort was blocked, a narrow escape for the TCNJ defense.
With the Falcons chasing the game, the Lions limited them to just one shot the rest of the way, which Panasuk saved to preserve the lead. TCNJ saw out the remaining time and clinched a trip the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018.
The Lions owned razor-thin advantages in shots (13-12) and corners (3-2), though Messiah put six of its shots on goal to four for TCNJ. Panasuk came up with five saves – her second-highest total of the year – to ensure the Lions' progression.
Sunday's thriller was a fitting conclusion to a matchup of two of the most decorated coaches in NCAA history. Messiah's Scott Frey and TCNJ's Joe Russo have combined for nine national championships and nearly 1,000 victories in their tenures. Only one could move on, and in his final season it was Russo who extended his legendary career for at least another game.
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November 15, 2021 at 04:28AM
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Women's Soccer Edges Messiah, Secures Sweet 16 Berth - The College of New Jersey Athletics - The College of New Jersey Athletics
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