Box Score
By Cody Swartz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Grantham, PA — For 49 minutes at Anderson Field Thursday night, The College of New Jersey was a step ahead of Messiah, maintaining a 2-1 lead against the third-ranked Falcons on their own turf.
In danger of losing just their third regular-season game in three years, the Falcons did what all great teams do: They turned up their play when it mattered the most.
Messiah scored three goals in the final 21 minutes of action, securing a 4-2 victory over the 11th-ranked Lions, while adding to its home winning streak — a mark that now stands at 28 games.
“We were really getting beat in the first half, but I think our second half was the finest we have played all year,” said Jan Trapp, Messiah head coach.
Thursday's tilt started the Lions' way, as TCNJ jumped on the board early, scoring at the 16:41 mark on a goal by senior Kellyn Riley. It was only the second time a Falcons' opponent had scored the first goal of a game all year.
Just three minutes later, a goal by senior Kourtney Ehly off a pass from sophomore Juliana Hershey tied the score briefly at one apiece. However, the Lions' Leigh Mitchell put TCNJ up 2-1 at the 26:09 mark, a lead that looked like it might hold up for the game.
“We weren't performing well in the first half, but we made some changes at halftime,” Trapp said. “We put some speed out there and we pressed much better in the second half.”
Ehly started the Falcons' comeback with a goal as the clock hit the 49 minute mark. Senior Amber (Philpot) Good, who was credited with the assist on Ehly's score, tallied a goal of her own just over a minute later, giving the Falcons their first lead of the game.
“I think the players really came alive in the second half,” Trapp said. “They scored when we needed it. Kourtney and Amber played well for our offense, and they showed what terrific forward line players they are.”
Hershey's goal unassisted with fewer than seven minutes to play iced a 4-2 Falcons' win, as the Smoketown, Pa. native redirected a loose ball in front of the Lions' cage to close out the rally.
“Juliana was another player who had a great game,” Trapp said. “(Sophomore) Emily Hursh also really helped our offense. We had such team chemistry there in the second half. We didn't sub at all because I didn't want to break the rhythm. The girls are in such great shape and they played hard.”
The Falcons, who had still managed to outshoot the Lions 8-4 in the first half, posted a tremendous 14-1 shot advantage in the second half.
Next up for Messiah is a return to Commonwealth Conference play, as the team will travel to Alvernia University on Saturday morning. Game time is set for 11 a.m.
