By Cody Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Glassboro, NJ — The stakes may not have been as high as the last time Messiah and Rowan University met, but for September field hockey, a game couldn't have been much more anticipated.
Messiah — ranked fourth in the Kookaburra/NFHCA Top 20 Poll — and Rowan — ranked 10th — tangled Saturday afternoon at Rowan's John Page Field, the teams' first meeting since last season's epic NCAA Regional Championship — which ended in a 2-1 overtime win for the Falcons and the program's 12th trip to the Final Four.
Messiah head coach Jan Trapp called that contest “one of the best, if not the best, to ever be played” on Messiah's field.
Saturday's clash lacked such grandiose descritpors.
Messiah remained unbeaten in 2009 through a dominating performance, coming away with a 3-0 victory, solidifying themselves once again as a prime contender for this season's NCAA Division III crown.
“It was awesome to get this shutout today,” Trapp said. “Our girls played really well, the defense stepped up, (senior goalkeeper Ashley) Mowery saved some really nice shots, and everyone just did their job. We had a good return for our work.”
With last season's NCAA contest as a precursor, Trapp said she knew Saturday's contest would be a war. And it was.
Physical play and a constant struggle for ball control highlighted the outset, as the Falcons were fortunate to take a 1-0 lead 12:55 into the game. Junior forward Kourtney Ehly scored on a pass from senior Katie Love to give the Falcons an early lead, but things would remain that way: A combined 15 first-half shots paved the way for a defensive struggle, as Messiah (4-0) kept its slim 1-0 lead into the half.
“We were just up by one at halftime and it was still anybody's game,” Trapp said. “I was hoping we would pick up some more goals in the second half to extend our lead.”
As if answering Trapp's wish, the Falcons scored two quick goals just moments into the final period.
Junior midfielder Julie Barton scored on a pass from teammate Lauren Tennis at the 36:40 mark. Shortly after, Love scored on a feed from forward Jenna Max, giving the team a 3-0 lead it would never relinquish.
“Those goals were huge,” said Trapp. “I could see a change in the way Rowan played. It forced them to change their mode, and our girls really stepped up to it. Even with that 3-0 lead, I still wasn't completely comfortable. Rowan didn't play like it was over, but I was glad our defense was able to keep them off the board.”
Mowery, a senior and four-year starter, played a tremendous game in goal for the Falcons, registering six saves while recording her eighth career shutout — though being part of a boatload more when sharing the cage.
Trapp praised Mowery's performance after the game, saying she was “very important to the game. You never know what even one goal can do in terms of momentum. Rowan (2-2) almost had one at one point in the second half, but Ashley made a great save, and really helped us out there. That goal wouldn't have won it, but it could have swung the momentum back in their favor.”
The Falcons also improved dramatically in regards to their defense inside the circle, allowing Rowan just six penalty corner chances — and no scores — after surrendering a season-high 12 in the second half of Wednesday's 5-1 win over Eastern University.
“In all, the defense really stepped up,” said Trapp. “They played well, especially with (senior) Mary (Hoover) being hurt (with an injured thumb). We had a freshman (Natalie Ziegler) playing for her, and she really had a great game. The defense played well, didn't panic and kept the game under control. All had good games for us.”
For Messiah, Saturday's result was the second win over a ranked opponent, adding to a 4-3 win over third-ranked Ursinus College on Sept. 5. The Falcons will next travel to Springfield, Virginia on Wednesday to take on Lynchburg College at West Springfield High School. The Hornets enter with a 3-1 record, coming off their only loss of the season.
Messiah has not faced Lynchburg in the sport of field hockey in over 20 years.
“Lynchburg will be another tough opponent,” Trapp said. “They're a great team, a tough team, and they're part of a wicked beginning to our season schedule.”
