Box Score
By Cody Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Grantham, PA — Prior to a short pre-game ceremony to honor Messiah's seven senior members, the Falcons' elder statesmen presented roses to their counterparts from visiting Arcadia University.
It was Messiah's only act of hospitality on the afternoon.
The Falcons made the most of their final regular-season game at Anderson Field by ripping off a season-high 39 shots en route to a 6-0 win over the Knights, the team's 31st straight victory on its home turf.
“We started all the seniors today and the girls played really well,” said Jan Trapp, Messiah head coach. “It was a special day for the seniors.”
Messiah (13-2, 6-0) made the most of its first game since an emotional 3-2, overtime win at top-ranked Lebanon Valley College Wednesday, dominating both offensively and defensively throughout Saturday's performance. It was the ninth consecutive win for the Falcons, which put the team in prime position to post its third straight year of unblemished regular-season Commonwealth Conference play.
It was also fitting that, on a day honoring the Falcons' seniors, Messiah's first three goals were scored by seniors.
“The seniors have been so good for our team this year,” Trapp said. “They're great for team camaraderie, all seven of them. They've worked on chemistry all year. It's really good for a team to have good leaders, and that's exactly what these seniors have been. They have great work ethics. There are no slouches on the team, and the younger players really look up to the seniors and see them working hard.”
Senior Amber (Philpot) Good put the Falcons on the board 16:04 into the game, with classmate Julie Barton recording the assist on the play. Fellow classmate Kourtney Ehly knocked in her team-leading 10th and 11th goals minutes before and after halftime, putting the Falcons 3-0.
Junior Kilee Rosenberry notched the Falcons' fourth and fifth goals of the contest, with sophomore Leann Carroll putting the finishing touches on the Falcons' scoring for the day with a goal at the 61:20 mark.
The defense recorded its ninth shutout of the season, the most Messiah has recorded in any regular season since 2003. For the day, the Falcons outshot the Cougars 39-1, while also taking a 19-2 advantage in penalty corners.
Messiah will finish off its regular season with an away matchup against Shenandoah University Tuesday. Game time is slated for 4 p.m.
