Box Score

The Albright College women's soccer team lost to #2 Messiah College on Saturday, but still clinched a Commonwealth Conference playoff spot thanks to other results around the league.

The Lions were in if Arcadia didn't win, and knew before kickoff that they had clinched thanks to Lebanon Valley's 2-0 victory over the Knights. Albright is now scheduled to play Lebanon Valley on Wednesday in a quarterfinal game.

Albright was nearly heading to Elizabethtown for their playoff game, but the Blue Jays scored in double-overtime to beat Widener on the road. That pushed Etown over LVC in the standings.

The Lions' position was set unless they could upset the second-ranked team in the nation. Albright battled the defending national champs, trailing by just a goal until the final 25 minutes.

Rachel Sheibeler finished off some good possession for Messiah to take the lead in the sixth minute. Albright goalie Kelly Burian made three first half saves (and eight overall) however, as the Lions kept the scoreline at 1-0 until late in the game.

Macauley Soto scored in the 67th minute to put the game away, and Alicia Frey added an insurance goal with 10 minutes to play.

Albright is 10-7, 5-4 and will play in its third Commonwealth Conference playoffs in the last four years (and a third trip for seniors Jordan Cassidy, Alee Gormley, Kim Harkins, Lauren Kelsey, Kirstie Potteiger and Alex Talbot). The Albright/LVC winner will face Messiah on Friday in the semifinals.