Box Score
West Palm Beach, FL — Don't look now, but the Messiah women's lacrosse team may be on a serious roll.
Just 48 hours after dispatching William Smith College at the annual Spring Fling event in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Falcons knocked off 14th-ranked Amherst College by an 11-6 score — the team's first win over a nationally-rated opponent since a 6-5 win at Elizabethtown College in last season's MAC Championship contest.
Thursday against Amherst, Messiah (3-2) rode a six-goal effort from sophomore Rachel Dirksen and stellar play from its defensive unit, as the Falcons limited the Lady Jeffs to just six scores off 24 shots (25 percent) while converting on an incredible 11 of their own 15 opportunities (73.3 percent).
“This was a big win for us and I'm extremely proud of how we started as well as finished the game,” said Heather Greer, Messiah head coach. “It is fun to finally have things clicking for us. It was hard to pick out a few players that had great games today. The team played so well and had some of the best teamwork I have seen all year. I love that we have unselfish players who really do want what is best for the team.”
That unselfishness was on display early and often, as the Falcons outdueled Amherst (2-1) in a physical battle. In stark contrast to Tuesday's goal-scoring frenzy against William Smith, Thursday's game was one defined by pure grit and determination, as neither team could get the transition game going.
Much of that had to do with sturdy play from the defense, as Messiah finished just 11 of 21 on clears and Amherst 12 for 16 — the teams combining for 25 ground balls overall.
Not surprisingly, a low-scoring first half ensued, as Greer's club worked its way to a 4-2 halftime lead: Dirksen started and ended the first-period scoring with a pair of unassisted markers, while freshman Cecilia Kjellman and sophomore Jaime Gerhart each knocked in free position shots to cap the Falcons' opening-half production.
Dirksen opened the second half with another score — this one off a free position shot with just a minute elapsed in the final period — but it wasn't until the 18:38 mark that Messiah made its greatest push.
After Amherst scored a pair of goals to pull within a 5-4 deficit, Greer's club exploded to score the game's next five tallies, opening up a 10-4 lead with just over nine minutes to play.
Dirksen scored the first two during that surge, while senior Nikki Lawrence cashed in on an assist from sophomore Meghan Doolittle.
When Dirksen notched her sixth goal of the game with 9:59 to play, Messiah's lead was 9-4. Junior Megan Bovenzi then scored unassisted with 8:53 to go, and the Falcons were rolling over the nation's 14th-rated team.
And while Messiah's offense was putting points on the board, the true reason for the team's success occurred on the other end of the field, as four of the team's five second-half ground balls were picked up during the run. Freshman goalie Taylor Phillips recorded four of her 14 total saves during that time as well, giving the Falcons time and possession to make their collective move.
“This game was won by our low defenders for sure,” Greer said afterward. “RC (sophomore Rachel Coyle), Eebs (junior Elizabeth Graham), Em (senior Emily Van Hook), (sophomore) Jess (Stevens) and (junior) Andrea (Thomas) were all incredible. Taylor had another tremendous game, playing very strong in the cage and vocally leading our defense. We really struggled with our transition game and made a lot of bad decisions with the ball, but the good part was that we worked hard to make up for those mistakes and get the ball back.”
Coyle — who literally shook off an unfortunate deposit from a sea gull during the game — finished with a team-leading five ground balls and four forced turnovers to spur Messiah's effort in the defensive third, while Stevens and Graham (two ground balls and two caused turnovers each) were solid, but not soiled, as well.
Dirksen equaled her single-game career high in goals scored, knocking in six of seven total shots.
Sophomore Beth Hendricks concluded the Falcons' scoring just before the final buzzer, after Amherst scored a pair with under three and a half minutes remaining.
“We played a very patient, smart attack today,” Greer said. “We always try to 'wait for great' and we did that very well today.”
Messiah will return from its spring break Florida trip and leap back into MAC Conference play next, as arch-rival Elizabethtown awaits next Wednesday. After the team's Spring Fling performances, Greer said there may be no better way to head into that contest.
“After the game Emily (Van Hook) really encouraged the team to use this win as motivation to go forward and keep working toward our end of the season goals,” Greer said. “It was fun to see the seniors (Van Hook and Lawrence) walk away from Florida with two wins for the first time in their careers. They wanted that and both played outstanding games today.”
Messiah will also open its home schedule next Wednesday, as Elizabethtown will visit Anderson Field. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
