Lancaster Bible College Athletics

The Lancaster Bible College Women's Soccer team returned home on Thursday night for their final non-conference game of the season, falling to #7-ranked Messiah by a score of 3-0. The Chargers drop to 3-5-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the United East while the Falcons fall to 5-2-2 overall.
 
How it Happened:
The Falcons had a shot on goal and a corner in the first three minutes, converting on their first score of the game in the fourth minute to take the lead. After another save by Saige Santa Cruz (Jr.), Messiah cashed in on a corner kick opportunity with a close shot fired into the back of the goal, extending the advantage to 2-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game. The possession evened out in the middle of the half as the Chargers fended off multiple Messiah attacks, including a pair of Santa Cruz saves within a minute of each other. After three more corner kicks, the Falcons put together one more attack in the final minute, scoring on a quick shot from the left side with five seconds remaining to add a third goal just before halftime.
 
Messiah had two quick shots to start the second half before Emily Murawski (So.) had a shot blocked in the box on a Chargers swing at the goal. The Falcons maintained the offensive pressure throughout the second half with seven total corner kicks, but six saves in the period for Santa Cruz helped the Chargers maintain the deficit as they worked a scoreless second half and kept the damage to three goals on Thursday night against the #7-ranked team in the country.
 
By the Numbers:
Team Stats
- Shots: Messiah 30, Lancaster Bible 1
- Shots on Goal: Messiah 15, Lancaster Bible 0
- Corner Kicks: Messiah 13, Lancaster Bible 0
 
Scoring Summary
4' MES – Mia Libby (1) [Hannah Lashley (3)]
10' MES – Addi Martin (3) [Hannah Lashley (4)]
45' MES – Lily Rineer (1) [Nikki Davis (2)]
 
Goalkeeping
- Kelsey Sorensen (MES): 0 Saves, 0 GA, WIN (5-2-2), SHO (4)
- Saige Santa Cruz (LBC): 12 Saves (season-high), 3 GA, LOSS (2-4-1)
 
Information to Know:
This was the Chargers' first matchup with Messiah in Women's Soccer all-time. This was Lancaster Bible's second matchup this season against a nationally-ranked opponent with both matches coming at home. Saige Santa Cruz recorded a season-high 12 saves in goal tonight, the most for a Charger in a single game since Morgan Sendgikoski in 2023.
 
Up Next:
The Chargers host their first home United East match of the year on Wednesday, October 7 as they take on Cedar Crest at 7:00 p.m.