BOX SCORE | PHOTOS

Grantham, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2010) - Top-seeded Messiah College (18-0) floated home one goal in the first half then was on point with five second-half tallies in a 6-0 win over #4 Alvernia University (12-5-4) Wednesday evening in a Commonwealth Conference women's soccer semfinal at Shoemaker Field.

Messiah's top threat, senior Amanda Naeher lofted home a shot in the 12th minute of play, but Alvernia was able to deny the Falcons for the rest of the half and hit the halftime break facing a 1-0 deficit.

Any attempt by the Crusaders to break free with speed in the offensive third was matched by just as much quickness with more size by the Falcons' backline and goalie Autumn Reilly went untested in the team's 16th shutout of the season.  The Falcons seek the conference title Saturday against second-seeded Arcadia -- one of just two teams to sneak one past Reilly.

Alvernia split time in net between senior Kirsten Kelley (Kirwood, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) and freshman Colleen Maher (Wall, N.J./Wall Township), and the two combined for a pair of saves.

Alvernia will await a certain ECAC bid following its record 12-win season as the Crusaders continue in their first ever postseason.

#1 Messiah 6, #4 Alvernia 0