ROCHESTER, NY – The RIT (11-6-4) women's soccer team fell to Messiah College (19-1-1) by a score of 1-0 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship from chilly Tiger Stadium Sunday. The Falcons, ranked second in the United Soccer Coaches Division III national poll, advance to the Round of 16 where they will face the winner between Lynchburg and Emory.

Shots were 15-5 in favor of Messiah. The Falcons took seven corner kicks to one for the Tigers. Alyssa Salls (Plattsburgh, NY/Plattsburgh) took the loss in net for RIT, making six saves. Sarah Yunez got the win for the Falcons, making one save.

Maddie Kohl gave Messiah a 1-0 lead on her goal directly off a corner kick in the 19th minute. Her in-swinging service curled into the top-right corner of the RIT net, over the outstretched hands of Salls.

RIT had a great chance late in the first half. Emily Thiel (Seattle, WA/Roosevelt) intercepted an attempted clearance by Yunez. With Yunez off her line, Thiel tried to hit a shot first-time past Yunez, but her attempt went just wide.

"I liked our game plan today," said RIT head coach Liz Masterson. "We knew we weren't going to get a lot of chances, and we adapted well for what this game required."

Salls made a big save on an attempt by Ellie Lengacher in the 75th minute. Lengacher got free inside the RIT penalty area, made a move and fired a shot that Salls saw and made the save to keep it a one-goal deficit for the Tigers.

The Tigers had a chance late in regulation off a corner kick in the 82nd minute. Rebecca Hext (Ottawa, ON/Longfields Davidson Heights) sent a service into the Messiah penalty area. The ball came to Jessica Jones (Holden, MA/Wachusett) who turned and fired a low shot on target. DJ Cole stayed on her line and turned the shot aside for Messiah.

RIT was making its third appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and its second round game. The Falcons advance to the Round of 16 for the 18th time in the last 19 seasons, winning five NCAA Division III National titles.

The Tigers advanced to the second round after advancing on penalty kicks against Susquehanna yesterday. Messiah knocked off Centenary, 2-0.

"I am so happy our seniors were able to finish off their careers with the excitement of playing in the NCAA Tournament," said Masterson. "Our younger players gained invaluable experience by playing against some best teams in the country. It will fuel us this off-season."