WESTMINSTER, Md. - Junior Sam Rodrick scored her first career goal in the 42nd minute to lift the McDaniel College women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over No. 1 Messiah on Wednesday at the Soccer Complex.

The Green Terror (3-1-1) posted their second win in the last three seasons against the top-ranked Falcons with both coming at home. Almost two years to the day, McDaniel also posted a 1-0 victory over top-ranked Messiah at home on Sept. 15, 2021.

Three of the last four meetings between the Green Terror and Falcons have been decided by just one goal.

Despite being out shot 11-3, McDaniel held firm on the back line against the potent Falcons offense. In the first 20 minutes, Messiah controlled possession with crisp passing, and looked to open up the scoring. Bella Touzeau ripped a shot in the fourth minute, but junior goalkeeper Lauren Hoolahan was in perfect position to make the save.

About 10 minutes later, Touzeau got loose again and sent a shot towards the top corner, but Hoolahan leaped up and deflected it out of play.

McDaniel began to settle in to their offense about midway through the opening half. Senior Elaina Kluttz almost connected with graduate student Kiersten Crowley on a back door pass near the box before sophomore Abby Witzel took a shot from outside the box that was blocked by a Falcons defender.

For the next 25 minutes, both teams battled near midfield for possession. The Green Terror defense led by Crowley, senior Allison Storm, sophomore Sarah Hurley, and freshman Peyton Viggiano constantly pressured Messiah, forcing turnovers and bad decisions. Storm and Crowley who played the full 90 minutes. 

In the 42nd minute, junior midfielder Jessica Weinoldt pressured the ball and forced an errant pass towards the Messiah back line. Rodrick, who checked in about 10 minutes earlier, raced towards the ball before dribbling around the defender with just the goalie to beat. From the left of the box, she slotted the ball past the keeper into the back right corner for her first collegiate goal to give McDaniel the lead.

As the second half began, Messiah pushed forward into McDaniel's side of the field. The Falcons' Mia Libby connected on a header in the 59th minute but Hoolahan was their for the save.

As the half continued, McDaniel used its depth to keep fresh legs on the field. Senior Elena Hincapie, sophomore Bayleigh Perdue, and freshman Sidda Mitchell provided a spark off the bench to help keep possession. 

The Falcons started to break into the box in the final 10 minutes. Junior Olivia Moskunas stepped up and kept Messiah from having any clean looks as she jumped into passing lanes and sent the ball out of harms way. Junior Liz LeChard and freshman Carly Brock also helped control the ball and clear it up the field taking more and more time off the clock.

Hoolahan finished with six saves and her third shutout in five starts this season.

McDaniel returns to action on Saturday when it opens Centennial Conference play at home against Ursinus. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.