Box Score
Madison, NJ — Messiah head coach Heather Greer called it a gift.
Following a 13-12 win at fellow MAC leader FDU-Florham, it was clear her team believed her.
The Falcons withstood a mid-game push from the host Devils while finishing with a three-goal flurry to come away with a crucial, 13-12 conference win at Shields Stadium — Messiah's first win at FDU-Florham in the last three years. Following a 9-16 loss April 5 of last year and a 6-12 defeat in April of 2007, the Falcons finally found success on the campus of their league rivals, picking a good time to do it: Coming into Saturday, Messiah, FDU-Florham and Elizabethtown College all possessed undefeated marks within conference play.
After Saturday's result, Messiah and E'Town now stand alone atop the league standings.
“This was the third time in three years that we were making the trek out to FDU and I told the seniors that this was a gift just for them,” Greer said. “It was one last opportunity to beat FDU on their own turf. I think we embraced that challenge today. We knew how big of a game this was for us, and we really showed some heart.”
While Messiah's finish was most notable — the team scored its last three goals over the final 3:48, turning an 10-12 deficit into the 13-12 final — its strong start was equally as impressive. Greer's club stormed out to a 6-2 lead over the game's first 17 minutes, outshooting the Devils by a 10-4 count during that span. Junior Emily Van Hook and freshman Rachel Dirksen each scored twice en route to the lead, with Dirksen assisting scores from both Van Hook and freshman Rachel Coyle.
A three-goal spurt from the hosts pulled FDU-Florham (5-3, 3-1) within a 6-5 difference with just under eight minutes to play in the first half, but a free position tally from Dirksen pushed Messiah (4-3, 3-0) back ahead with just 4:26 remaining.
FDU-Florham made the most of a late Messiah turnover, however, scooping a ground ball with only 42 seconds remaining and scoring just 25 seconds later — making the halftime score 7-6 in favor of the Falcons.
“Our defense really kept us in it today,” Greer said. “Led by (seniors) Brianne Brennan and Betsy Tyson, they really put all the pieces together and worked as one collective unit. They were patient, which is hard to be sometimes in such a tight back and forth game as this was.”
Greer's unit would face its most staunch test of the afternoon immediately following the intermission, as the Devils ripped four goals in the first 7:38 of the second half, taking a 10-7 lead. Messiah would respond with a three-goal surge of its own, however, as freshman Deb Tam, sophomore Megan Bovenzi and Van Hook helped tie the game up over a span of just two minutes: Tam registered her first goal of the afternoon 10:54 into the second half, while Bovenzi scored an unassisted blast 12:05 in and Van Hook 52 seconds later.
If the pressure weren't palpable enough, FDU's Laura Gambardello would turn up the heat even more.
The Devils' senior scored a pair of unassisted goals in under two minutes of game clock, giving the hosts a 12-10 lead with just 9:48 to play.
Following four straight Messiah shots that went begging, Greer called a timeout. Just 4:08 remained on the clock.
“We needed to make a plan of attack,” Greer said. “And when that whistle blew, we executed it.”
Transitioning from deep in its defensive third, Messiah wasted little time in pulling within an 11-12 difference. Bovenzi took a pass from Dirksen and scored her second goal of the day just 20 seconds after the timeout had concluded. Dirksen then won the ensuing draw control and again fed Bovenzi just 31 seconds later — tying the game at 12-12 and setting off jubilation on the Messiah sideline.
The team was not yet finished.
As the clock ticked down toward zeroes and overtime appearing imminent, the smallest player on the field came up with the biggest shot. Tam got inside and took a feed from Bovenzi with just 28 seconds on the game clock, putting a shot past FDU keeper Christine Dunn for the go-ahead score.
The Falcons obtained that possession following an FDU draw control, but Brennan was there to force a turnover and scoop a ground ball — one of two forced errors and three ground balls for the senior defender on the game.
With FDU now scrambling for possession to extend things, Bovenzi made certain the hosts would not. The sturdy sophomore won the ensuing draw control following Tam's golden goal, and despite the Devils' best attempts, ran out the clock for the win.
“I was really proud of the way our girls responded after that timeout,” Greer said. “We had a plan of attack for our possessions which the team executed perfectly. Then we patiently and deliberately put the game-winning goal away. Our attack is definitely young but today they really showed a lot of maturity by being poised and patient.”
Dirksen and Bovenzi led the offensive charge, each scoring three times with Dirksen dishing four assists and Bovenzi two. Van Hook also scored thrice, while Tam's two goals came in the final 20 minutes of action.
Dirksen was a monster in the midfield, winning eight draw controls. Bovenzi and junior Nikki Lawrence joined Brennan with three ground balls on the afternoon. Senior Jen Venter finished with 11 saves in another outstanding effort in goal.
“Jen Venter always seems to catch the eyes of fans as well as opposing coaches,” Greer said. “She is just that good. We were 17 strong today. Each and every player contributed to this total team victory. We don't have standouts but we have humble girls who are willing to work hard for sake of their teammates.”
Messiah will not have long to savor the all-important league victory, as the team will travel to conference foe Alvernia University Tuesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
