Box Score
By Cody Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Grantham, PA — Field hockey's version of cruise control was on display Tuesday night at Anderson Field, as Messiah tallied six first-half goals en route to a 6-0 win over visiting Gettysburg College.
The Falcons' six first-half goals were more than the team had scored in an entire game all season. It also represented the team's highest output in a single half since the Falcons scored nine goals in the first period of a 13-0 win over Shenandoah University on Oct. 27 of last year.
In the end, the offensive explosion helped Messiah — ranked third in this week's Kookaburra/NFHCA Top 20 Coaches Poll — to its 10th straight win and eight shut out victory of the season.
“Our offense broke loose early on and the girls played well,” said Jan Trapp, Messiah head coach.
Senior Julie Barton put Messiah (10-2) on the board just 95 seconds into the contest, with an unassisted goal. Classmate Amber (Philpot) Good followed with two unassisted tallies of her own at the 6:30 and 8:12 marks, giving the Falcons a quick, 3-0 lead.
Sophomore Emily Hursh's goal off an assist from Barton at the 14:55 mark gave the Falcons a 4-0 lead and senior Kourtney Ehly chipped in with a goal at 18:30, with Barton again registering the assist.
Freshman Brooke Sands knocked in a pass from junior Kilee Rosenberry at the 28:59 mark, putting the finishing touches on the Falcons' scoring for the half — and the game.
“Our offense was so strong, we were able to get the subs in early, and it was nice for them to receive a lot of playing time,” Trapp said.
In the first half, the Falcons dominated possession, putting up a 13-0 advantage in shots and a 5-0 disparity in penalty corners.
“We played very strong in the first half,” said Brooke Good, Messiah assistant coach. “The girls created many scoring opportunities, they converted well, and I saw good things offensively.”
As well as the Falcons' offense executed, the defense was just as strong, holding Gettysburg (5-7) to just three shots and three penalty corners in 70 minutes of action.
“The forwards played defense, the mids played defense and the backs played good defense as well,” Trapp said. “I was impressed with their overall performance.”
Good, who primarily oversees the Falcons' defense, agreed with Trapp.
“The girls worked together well,” Good said. “We have a lot of depth with our defense and the younger players stepped up.”
Freshman goalkeeper Molly Gebrosky received the start in cage, recording two saves as well as her first complete game collegiate shutout.
“Molly got limited opportunities in goal, but she received the most of them,” Good said. “She did a good job of directing and communicating with her teammates.”
Messiah will next play a Commonwealth Conference game against Albright College this Saturday on Anderson Field. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. as part of the day's Homecoming festivities.
“It's Homecoming weekend and emotions are high, so I am expecting this to be a good team,” said Good. “Albright is an improving team. We need to come out and perform to the best of our ability.”
