GRANTHAM, Pa. - #1 Messiah played like the nation's top team in the Falcons 4-0 shutout victory over Lebanon Valley in the teams' Commonwealth Conference postseason tournament semifinal matchup on Wednesday night, Nov. 5.  The Flying Dutchmen will now wait for a postseason bid either from the NCAA tournament selection committee or the ECAC early next week.

Newly crowned Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Year Nikki Elsaesser stole a page from LVC's book when she netted the game's first goal off a corner kick just two minutes into the contest.  Erin Sollenberger added a pair of goals on the night with the first coming in the 27th minute off another corner kick opportunity and the second capping the game's scoring early in the second half.  Olivia Snare converted Messiah's third goal of the game in the 39th minute.

The Dutchmen had trouble slowing down the Falcons high powered offense as the hosts outshot the Blue and White 17-3 overall.  Messiah also got off seven targeted attempts compared to just one shot on goal for Lebanon Valley.  The on-frame attempt by senior Amanda Douglass didn't come until the game's 89th minute.

LVC sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Reinhold was under siege early and often but managed to make three saves on the night.  The Falcons also held the advantage in corner kicks at 6-1.  Messiah made the most of their home-field advantage as Wednesday's contest was a far cry from the 1-0 victory they escaped Herbert Field with in the teams' first meeting earlier this fall.

The Dutchmen will now await the release of the NCAA's Division III championship tournament field to see what their postseason future holds.  With the team's only losses coming at the hands of #1 Messiah, #7 Misericordia, and the #1 seed in this year's Commonwealth Conference tournament in Stevenson, an at-large NCAA tournament bid isn't out of the question.  If one doesn't materialize, the ECAC should come calling on Monday afternoon.