Rowan athletics photo

Olivia Giordano's goal midway through the second half lifted No. 17 Rowan to a 2-1 upset of top-ranked Messiah in women's soccer action on Wednesday, Oct. 8, as the Profs (9-1) handed the Falcons their first loss of the season. It marks the fifth consecutive win for Rowan.

Rowan trailed at halftime, 1-0, before Elaina Corson tied the match just minutes into the second half, at 48:20, marking only the second goal given up by Messiah (11-1) this season. Bella Clark and Giordano were credited with the assists as Corson knocked in the rebound from the save off a corner kick for her second goal of the year.

In the 68th minute, Cali Sloan sent a looping ball down the field, which bounced over the head of Messiah keeper Ava Wert, with Giordano there to tap it in for her ninth goal of the year, and her sixth gamewinner of 2025.

In the 26th minute, Lexi Sarago forced a turnover from the Profs, and the Falcons went on the attack. The Falcons moved the ball around on the attacking third and eventually found an opening. Ella Lent-Koop sent a long pass to Hannah Adair just outside of the box. Adair poked a pass towards the left corner of the box to Mia Libby. Libby took a couple of touches, blew past a Prof defender, and sent a hot into the bottom-right corner to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

Freshman goalkeeper Leah Edinger made five saves as she faced 11 shots by Messiah.