XML Box Score with Phil Naegely, GoMessiah.com reporter

Grantham, PA - A Messiah College player notched a hat-trick for the second-straight game as Messiah College defeated Widener University 6-1 on a hot day on Anderson Field. Rachel Cox scored three-times for the Falcons in the win, recording a hat-trick similar to that of Moriah's Pfautz in Wednesday's win over Eastern. Saturday's win was also the third-straight lopsided victory for Messiah as they've now outscored their opponents 18-3 in their three-game win streak.
 
Even with the high temperatures causing a bit of fatigue for both teams, Messiah managed to score early. Gina Kellett's pass from the top of the circle was tipped by Celina Nissley in just the fifth minute of play. The goal was Nissley's fifth of the season.
 
Playing with an early lead, Messiah's continued to keep the pressure on with a number of penalty corners. Their fourth attempt, which came in the 22nd minute, saw Gina Kellett put her own score into the cage to double the Falcons' lead.
 
"We didn't start off as fast-paced as we planned, which could have been related to the heat," commented Coach Brooke Good, looking back on the Falcons' slow start. "Still, the team battled through the conditions and was able to find opportunities."
 
Their lead was soon cut in half, however, as Widerner's Samatha Balonis found a score less than six minutes before the break.
 
The second-half was a totally different game; Messiah out-shot Widener 18-2 and out-cornered them 8-2. Less than a minute out of the intermission, Messiah even earned three shots off a penalty corner but saw Maggie Karmeris keep them out of the cage.
 
With the pressure being applied, though, it proved to be just a matter of time before Messiah broke though. Rachel Cox did those honors in the 43rd minute after Kellett found her on a corner set. Twelve minutes later Jennie Kamel got in on the action with her own score off another corner by Messiah.
 
Now leading 4-1, Cox completed her three-goal performance with scores in each the 57th and 58th minutes. As was the theme for the day, both goals came either on or after corner sets by the Falcons.
 
"We played better in the second-half than we did in the first half," said Coach Good, who was pleased with her team's play against the Pride. "It was a great team win and a number of players stepped up and contributed."
 
To Coach Good's point, four of the Falcons' six goals were assisted, with Kellett (2), Megan Prall, and Karin Holvik recording the helpers.  
 
Messiah moves to 7-2 overall and 2-0 in Commonwealth Conference play, while Widener falls to 4-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Falcons will complete a four game home stand Wednesday, Oct. 9 against Franklin & Marshall. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.


Click on photos to see higher resolution.

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video