All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. -Acts 4:32
2025 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Appearance and MAC Commonwealth Champions. 22-3 Overall Record
6x NCAA DIII National Champions: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2019
15 NCAA DIII Final Four Appearances
25 NCAA DIII National Tournament Appearances
22x Conference Champions
7 National Players of the Year and 45 All-Americans
The overriding sense of purpose of Messiah Women's Soccer is to have an unspeakable impact on the lives of young woman through the sport of soccer while preparing them to influence the world for Christ.
The Desire of MWS is: 1. To be the best place in the country to play soccer; best culture, best staff, best style, best players. 2. To be a positive impact on the Messiah University campus; on dorm, in the classroom, among athletes. 3. To nurture and develop each member of MWS to become the best soccer player and teammate they can be. 4. To nurture and develop each member of MWS to become the woman of God she was created to be.
Foundational Principles: These six foundational principles encompass the heart and character of Messiah Women’s Soccer. The principles are the life blood of MWS and provide the framework and ideals for every person who is a part of Messiah Women’s Soccer, “One In Heart and Mind”. As a member of MWS you need to not only know and be able to articulate each of these foundational principles, but more importantly live them out. EMBRACE, EMBODY, ENACT. 1) Place Team over Individual: “It is not about me”. The lens all things related to the program will be examined through first. “Step a-side” 2) Relentless improvement: We work hard every day, every week, every year. We realize that growth in all areas is a building process that takes time and effort. “Fall in love with the process of becoming great” - “Get out of bed and put your shoes on”. 3) Pursue Excellence: Deliberate actions, ordinary in themselves, performed carefully and consistently, compounded together added up over time. “Double knot your shoes” 4) Right Attitude: “We choose to be positive.” We have a grateful spirit; life owes me nothing. “Skip the excuses” 5) Servant Leadership: Doing whatever is necessary to see that the team and my teammates succeed. – the example of Christ’s life “Wash their feet” 6) Invested Relationships: Give a GIFT – Grace; give my teammate the benefit of the doubt. ISI: your best brings out my best. Friend first; teammate second. Speak Truth; mean no offense and take no offense. “Walk to them”
Head Coach: Scott Frey
The 2026 season is Scott Frey’s 27th season (26th year) as the Messiah women’s soccer head coach. During his two-plus decades, Frey has led the Falcons to six National Championships, 22 Conference Championships, and 15 Final Four appearances. Prior to his appointment as the head women’s soccer coach at Messiah, Frey was the head men’s coach at Alma College (1993-1999) and an assistant coach with the Messiah men’s team (1988-1992). NOTABLE ACCOLADES
- 518-33-40 overall record at Messiah
- Six NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer National Championships
- 25 NCAA Tournament Appearances
- 22 Conference Championships
- Four-time National Coach of the Year
- Five-time Regional Coach of the Year
- Nine-time Conference Coach of the Year
- Coached five MAC Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year
- Coached 28 Conference Players of the Year
- Coached 13 Conference Rookies of the Year
- Coached 106 All-Region honorees
- Coached 46 All-Americans
- Coached Seven National Players of the Year
COACHING BIO A 1984 graduate of Messiah University, Frey began his college coaching career as an assistant with the Messiah men’s team from 1988-1992. In 1993, Frey took over the men’s team at Alma College in Michigan. There, he led the program to two MIAA Conference titles, three NCAA Championships appearances, and a berth into the NCAA Division III Final Four in 1999. He was recognized as the Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year in 1999. Frey holds both an Advanced National Diploma and a USSF “B” License. In addition to his coaching duties, Frey holds administrative duties with the Athletic Department, including locker room organization and game management. He and his wife, Sheila, have an eldest son Drew and two daughters, Alicia and Maggie. They reside in Dillsburg PA.
Associate Head Coach: Brandon West
The 2026 season will mark the first season for Brandon West on the sidelines for the falcons and 11th year coaching collegiately. NOTABLE ACCOLADES
- Overall Record as Head Coach: 75-43-26
- 5x Conference Champion. 3 as a Head Coach and 2 as an Assistant Coach.
- 5x NCAA Tournament Appearances. 3 as a Head Coach and 2 as an Assistant Coach
- 2x Conference Coach of the Year.
- 2x Regional Staff of the Year. 1 as a Head Coach and 1 as an Assistant Coach.
- 2 Sweet Sixteen Appearances. 1 as a Head Coach and 1 as an Assistant Coach.
- Career Coaching: Coached 1 DIII National Player of the Year, 6 All-Americans, 23 All-Region Players, 7 Conference Players of the Year, 5 Conference Tournament MVPs, 77 All Conference Players in Total.
- Won 2 NCAA DIII National Titles as a player at Messiah College along with 3 Conference Championships. Was an All-Region, NCAA All-Tournament Team and 3x All-Conference Selection in his playing career.
COACHING BIO A 2015 graduate of Messiah, West began his coaching career as an assistant for the men's program from 2015-2017. While at Messiah he helped guide the program to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2016 and was apart of the Region V Staff of the year in 2016. He then became the head women's soccer coach at Eastern University from 2017-2019. In 2017 he lead Eastern to MAC Freedom playoffs for the first time in six seasons. He then moved to Lynchburg VA and became the 1st Assistant for the women's soccer program and was there from 2019-2021. In Spring of 2021 he helped guide Liberty to an ASUN Title and a trip to the NCAA Division I Tournament. He then took over as the head coach of Penn State Harrisburg from 2021-2025. He lead the program to 3 United East Conference titles, 3 trips to the NCAA DIII National Tournament and a Sweet Sixteen Run in 2025. He was recognized as United East Coach of the Year in 2021 and 2025 and was the head coach of the Region IV Staff of the Year in 2025. West holds a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Premier Diploma. He and his wife, Alicia, have an eldest son Hayden and twin girls Wren and Anna. They reside in Dillsburg PA.
Assistant Coach: Todd Balsbaugh
The 2026 season marks Todd Balsbaugh's 26th season as assistant coach for Messiah women's soccer. A 1994 graduate of Messiah, Balsbaugh has been coaching with the program for all but one year of Scott Frey's tenure, and he's been a pivotal piece of the Falcons' ascent to the top of the NCAA. A 1994 graduate of Messiah, Balsbaugh also once played for the Falcons' men's JV team-- a team coached by Frey himself. Along with a bachelor's degree from Messiah, Balsbaugh holds a master's degree from Penn State University from 2011. Coach Balsbaugh and his wife Nicole currently reside in Annville, Pa., with their daughter, Abigail, and son, Daniel.
Assistant Coach: Holly Hoy
Holly (Burgard) Hoy enters her tenth year with the women's soccer team in the 2026 season. Hoy earned her first National Championship on the sidelines during the 2019 campaign, contributing to the coaching staff that led the Falcons to a 22-1-3 overall record. During her playing career, Hoy was a part of Falcon teams that made the NCAA Tournament all four seasons, reaching the sectional semifinals in 2013, sectional final in 2014, final four in 2015, and winning the program’s fifth National Championship as a freshman in 2012. During her four seasons, Messiah sported a record of 88-4-8 overall and 33-0-1 in the MAC Commonwealth. Her 99 games played as a Falcon ties for eighth in program history. As a forward, Hoy registered career totals of 23 goals and 33 assists resulting in 79 points, which ranks 15th in Messiah’s all-time record books. Her senior season was her strongest, notching 13 goals and dishing out 10 assists. She was named All-MAC Commonwealth in 2014 and 2015 and NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region in 2015. Hoy is a 2016 graduate of Messiah Hoy lives in Mechanicsburg with her husband, and former Messiah men's basketball player, Zac Hoy ’15.
Assistant Coach: Lydia Watkins
The 2026 season marks Lydia (Ewing) Watkins 5th season on the sidelines for the falcons. She primarily works with the goalkeepers and has helped guide the program to two NCAA Final 4 appearances on the sidelines for the falcons. During her playing career Watkins helped Messiah Women's Soccer lift their most recent National Championship in 2019 and sixth overall. Along with the National Championship she was also a part of the 2021 group who went to the Elite 8, the 2018 group who went to the Sweet Sixteen, and the 2017 group who went to the Elite 8. Watkins was a D3soccer.com 2nd Team All American in 2019, a 2x United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection, a 3x All-MAC Commonwealth All Conference selection and the MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year in 2017. Watkins finished her career with 76 games played, a 0.31 Goals Against and Average and is tied for 2nd in program history for career solo shutouts with 35. Watkins is 2021 graduate of Messiah. Watkins lives in Mechanicsburg with her husband Bryce.
Assistant Coach: Jenna Skursenski
The 2026 season marks Jenna Skursenski's 2nd season on the sidelines for the falcons. Primarily she works with the backs in the program and she helped guide a group in 2025 who made an Elite 8 Appearance, pitched 19 shutouts, and only gave up 7 goals on the season. As a player Jenna Skursenski was a part of the two final four teams in 2022 and 2023. She also made a Elite 8 appearance in 2021 and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2024. Skursenski was a stellar defender for the falcons. She was 2x United Soccer Coaches All-American, a D3soccer.com All-American, a 4x United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection, a 4x All MAC Commonwealth All-Conference selection, a MAC Commonwealth Defensive Player of the Year and a MAC Commonwealth Tournament MVP. Skursenski is a 2024 graduate of Messiah. Skursenski currently lives in Mechanicsburg PA.
AROMA's vision is to enrich the Messiah athletic experience-- making it the best place in the country to be a college athlete. We believe the pathway to this is in aligning our purpose in life with our purpose in sport-glorifying God. AROMA is joining forces to accomplish the Athletic Department's two primary goals - Pursuing Athletic Excellence, and Developing Christian Character. We believe that by providing student-athletes with opportunities to participate in the Kingdom of God through sport, there is a shift in paradigm of the true purpose of sports. For the first time, many student athletes realize they can use their gifting in athletics to spread the Gospel. Student athletes are no longer placing their identity in their performance on the field, but in their identity in Christ. We believe that students who know their true identity, are empowered to pursue athletic excellence from their Christian character. As this becomes the new normal on our campus, we believe it creates 'A Revolution of Missional Athletes'.
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the AROMA of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." -2 Corinthians 2:14-15
MWS AROMA Spring Break 2026 Colombia Trip
Who We Are
Messiah University is a nationally ranked, private Christian university with a student body of 3,454 undergraduate and graduate students. Our scenic 385-acre suburban campus is located in central Pennsylvania, just 12 miles from the state capital of Harrisburg. The University was founded in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church. Today, the University’s faith base is broadly evangelical and includes students and employees from a variety of denominations and Christian faith traditions.
Mission and Identity
Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.
Our History
Messiah University was founded in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church. Now, the University's faith base is broadly evangelical and includes students and employees from a variety of denominations and Christian faith traditions.
Academic Programs:
- 80+ undergraduate academic programs
- 20 graduate and adult degrees
- Rigorous University Honors Program
- Summer online courses
- 3 Year degree options
- 74.4% 4-year graduation rate (National average: 55.8%)
Student Body:
- 3,454 undergraduate and graduate students
- 2,722 undergraduate students from 33 states and 23 countries
- 732 graduate students from 35 states and 2 countries
- Undergraduate: 56% female | 44% male
- Graduate: 73% female | 27% male
- 1.5% international students
- 21% undergrad students from underrepresented racial, ethnic and cultural populations
- 84% undergrad students live in on-campus housing
- 60+ Clubs and organizations
Careers and Internships:
- 89 internship sites per year
- 400+ available internships per year(average)
- 95% of the undergraduate Class of 2024 respondents indicated they were employed or in grad/professional programs within 6-9 months after graduation
Athletics:
- 35 NCAA Division III Championships
- 196 Conference team champions
- 396 NCAA Division III All-Americans
- 23 NCAA Division III National Players of the Year
- 22 NCAA Division III sports
- baseball (M)
- basketball (M/W)
- cross country (M/W)
- field hockey (W)
- indoor track and field (M/W)
- lacrosse (M/W)
- outdoor track and field (M/W)
- soccer (M/W)
- softball (W)
- tennis (M/W)
- wrestling (M)
- swimming (M/W)
- volleyball (M/W)
- flag football (W)(Coming Soon)
Awards and Rankings
#17 Alayna Williams
"After two years of being a part of Messiah Women’s Soccer, I can confidently say that this program has helped shape me in more ways than one. As a freshman, before I even stepped on a field, the girls welcomed me in without knowing much more than my name, major, and position. The coaching staff is beyond qualified and experienced, and truly care about my development as both a soccer player and young woman in Christ. MWS is an incredibly successful women’s soccer program, but it’s impact extends far beyond the field, as it has helped me learn how to invest in relationships, serve others, and love the Lord through the gifts He has given me."
#12 Mia Libby
"MWS is a once in a lifetime opportunity that only lasts 4 years but will lay a foundation rooted in Christ for the rest of your life. Having the name Messiah across our chest is a privilege, blessing and responsibility. It means we are playing to share the gospel and are playing for someone greater than ourselves. The people here choose to serve others first and that starts from the coaching staff and goes down the line. Our coaching staff doesn’t just coach soccer, they mentor us through life. I never truly knew myself before being part of this team, and being surrounded by 25+ girls and coaches who love me no matter what and are willing to push me every day to be better is irreplaceable. And playing for one of the best teams in the country is the bonus part."
#9 Tessa Groff
“MWS has been a very special part of my college experience, and I am so thankful to be in this program. I have been able to find my closest friends through this team and be involved in many valuable experiences that can only be found through competitive college athletics. MWS has helped to shape my development not only as a player, but a person, through the intentional environment and culture that has been established over many years. Joining this team has definitely been one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I am blessed to be a part of Messiah Women's Soccer."
#20 Ella Lent Koop
"Messiah women’s soccer has been a beautiful gift over these last few years. While it is a place where I have gotten to play high caliber soccer and grow as an athlete, it has also given me amazing Christ-centered relationships, coaches that see me as a beloved child of God first and foremost, and opportunities to serve our amazing God. I get to play the sport that I have loved for so many years, while being reminded to keep the first things first. I feel so blessed to be here!"