Box Score
Grantham, PA - For the second time in four days the Messiah College Falcons defeated a Commonwealth opponent by the score of 18-1. This time around, the Albright College Lions played the part of the opposition as the Falcons finished the conference regular season with an unblemished record of 6-0.
Sophomore
Lizzy Keeney paced nine scorers for Messiah with six goals and two assists. Senior
Rachel Dirksen scored three goals and added three assists. It was banner day for Dirksen, too, as she became the program's all-time leader in both assists (101) and draw controls (226). Dirksen had entered the day tied in both categories. Earlier this season, Dirksen
became the Falcons' leader in career goals scored and career points.
"I don't mean to speak for Dirk, but I honestly think she would say that while those records are fun, they're nothing compared to the bigger goals we have as a team this year," Messiah head coach
Heather Greer said. "If those records come along with our team goals, then they'll be even greater to look back on. Dirk, though-- she has the right attitude: our team is greater than any individual."
Much like they did on Wednesday in their
18-1 win over Lycoming College, the Falcons (14-2, 6-0) took an 11-0 lead. On Saturday, the Falcons extended that lead to 17-0 before Albright managed to light up their side of the scoreboard with just 3:44 left to play. The Lions (4-13, 0-6) finish their season winless in the Commonwealth Conference.
From start to finish, the Falcons dominated in every possible way. They took 37 shots to the Lions' five, collecting 27 ground balls-- including 16 ground balls in the second half compared to zero for Albright. Messiah was a perfect on five clear opportunities, and committed only six turnovers.
Goalies
Kelsey Luck and
Taylor Phillips split even time in the cage for Messiah, with Luck collecting three saves in her half of play.
For Messiah, ranked #8 in the IWLCA Top 20 poll, the final score added to an already impressive Commonwealth run. Across their six games in the conference, Messiah has outscored their opponents 101-34.
The Falcons will have a chance to continue their dominating play in the Commonwealth Championships that are to begin next week Wednesday, May 2. Messiah will host Alvernia University as the #1 seed, with the game to start at 4:00 p.m. The game will be a rematch of the
Falcons 21-6 win at Alvernia just one week ago.
The winner of that match-up will take on the winner of #3 Lebanon Valley and #2 Elizabethtown. The Championships final will be hosted by the higher seed on Saturday, May 5.
More information on the Falcons' road in the Commonwealth Championships will follow on Monday.
