University Park, PA — The Messiah College field hockey program opened its 2009 season Tuesday night, defeating Juniata College by a 4-1 score.
Playing at Penn State University's Field Hockey Complex, Messiah (1-0) proved worthy of its number four ranking in the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division III Pre-Season Top 20 Poll, controlling possession while recording 15 total shots to Juniata's six — all while taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the first 29 minutes of play.
It was the type of start that 37-year head coach Jan Trapp was looking for, as third-ranked Ursinus College looms next on the docket.
“We played a really good first half tonight,” Trapp said. “In the second half, I thought we got a little sloppy. We weren't horrible, but we saw some things that we have to work on. If everything was perfect, they wouldn't need us (coaches).”
Things seemed nearly flawless for the Falcons in the early goings of the neutral match, as Penn State's five-year old field set the backdrop for an impressive performance from Trapp's club. Senior Elizabeth Ziegler got Messiah on the board just 5:55 into play off a nice feed from junior Julie Barton, while junior Kourtney Ehly would follow with a blast into the baseboard just over three minutes later. On that goal, it was Ziegler that did the assisting off a penalty corner, helping the Falcons to a 2-0 lead with less than 10 minutes elapsed in the season.
Trapp's club controlled possession throughout the first half, culminating with another score in the 28th minute, as junior Amber Philpot redirected a feed from senior Katrina Campbell with just under seven minutes to play in the period.
“We had a lot of opportunities in the first half,” Trapp said. “We had the ball inside a lot, and there were some chances that I think the girls were disappointed they missed on. Overall, though, the first half was really good for us.”
Messiah scored its third marker 20 minutes into the second half, as junior Lauren Tennis took a feed from senior Jenna Max on another corner opportunity, giving the Falcons two scores off of seven penalty corner chances. And while Messiah's possession game may have dipped slightly in the waning moments, Trapp said she was pleased with the team's execution off the end line.
“We nearly had a third goal off a corner, but (Juniata goalkeeper) Denalyn Spratt made an incredible diving save,” Trapp said. “I was pleased overall with how we executed in those situations. Even when we didn't score, we still executed our corners very well.”
With the game out of reach, Juniata finally broke through on the scoreboard with just under nine minutes to go, thwarting a near shutout from senior All-American keeper Ashley Mowery and the Messiah back line. Mowery had already saved a penalty stroke midway through the first half, but a crafty move from the Eagles' Paula Price resulted in a close-range score at the 61:40 mark, providing the Falcons' only tangible hiccup of the day.
“I know the girls didn't like being scored on, but it was a lesson learned in regards to the way they scored the goal,” Trapp said. “It's something that we'll simulate in practice. Give Juniata credit. They played much better in the second half than they did the first.”
Trapp noted the play of her midfield and that of Barton, citing the junior All-American took “complete control” of the midfield.
“She really stood out,” Trapp said. “We got the ball through quickly … didn't get bogged down in the midfield. I think all aspects of our game were better than they were in our scrimmage (against Shippensburg University) a week ago. It was nice to see our subs get in and play well. Our positioning was better. Our freshmen are really good, they just need experience playing with our other girls. That will come.”
Trapp said Messiah's first two opportunities to face competition other than themselves is crucial, given the Falcons' next opponent: Third-ranked Ursinus will visit Anderson Field Saturday evening for a 7 p.m. contest. The Bears joined Messiah in last year's Final Four, bowing out to eventual champion Bowdoin College by a 3-2 score in the semi-final opposite Messiah.
“Ursinus is always a national power, and we'll need to play very good hockey,” Trapp said. “It's going to be a fun one to open our home schedule with.”
