Nikki Elsaesser tallied twice and Holly Burgard put through an impressive free kick to help No. 1 Messiah win 3-0 over Montclair State in the NCAA Second Round on Saturday. The Falcons allowed just two shots to the Red Hawks in a physical battle that was contested from start to finish.
 
The win pushed Messiah to 20-0-2 overall, and also into the Sectional Semifinal where they will play the winner of Lynchburg and Rowan. Those teams were scheduled to play at 5:00 p.m. this evening.

(UPDATE at 7:15 p.m. - Rowan defeated Lynchurg by a 1-0 score on a goal with 90 seconds to play.)
(UPDATE AT 9:20 p.m. - Messiah College chosen to host Rowan, Hardin-Simmons, and Swarthmore in the Sectionals next weekend.)
 
Elsaesser put the Falcons up in the 23rd minute off a quick combination give-and-go with Kyele Bridel. The pass from Bridel led Nikki into the box where she just beat keeper Erinne Finlayson to the first touch. Finlayson managed to get a deflection on the chip, but the ball had too much steam and trickled into the net for a 1-0 Messiah lead.
 
Less than eight minutes later Messiah doubled that lead off the foot of Burgard. Elsaesser's turn in the midfield led to a foul by the Red Hawks, and Messiah's set play was arranged 26 yards out. Burgard's ensuing strike dipped under the crossbar and just beyond the leap of Finlayson for her 10th goal of the season and second in as many games.
 
The 2-0 lead was especially significant considering the Red Hawks played some dangerous balls into the Falcons' box early on. They even seemed poised to answer Elsaesser's first goal when Tyler Madison played a ball square across Messiah's six-yard line to the back post. The entire weak side was open for a second, but Marisa Weaver made a great recovery to clear the ball away before a shot could be taken.
 
Less than six minutes into the second-half Messiah got a back-breaking goal from Elsaesser to make it 3-0. Bridel got the helper again, this time with a long pass down the right sideline that led to Nikki's approach into the box. With a defender riding her hip Elsaesser put a perfect shot across the goal and inside the far post for her second goal of the game. The tally was also her fourth in two games this weekend.
 
Despite going down 3-0, Montclair considered to battle and fight on both sides of the ball. But the Falcons' midfield led by Macaulay Soto and Marisa DeMonte did a terrific job both earning and keeping possession, and the Red Hawks managed just a single shot in the final period. They also were held to zero corners, a stat reflective of the Falcons' imposing defensive presence.
 
The shutout for Messiah was fifth-straight and 17th overall in 2015.
 
The loss for the Read Hawks ended their season at 15-4-2.

As mentioned, the Falcons now prepare for Rowan University. Fans are encouraged to follow GoMessiah.com for a full preview later this week.