XML Box Score With Phil Naegely, GoMessiah.com reporter.
Grantham, PA - After playing their first two games on the road, Messiah readied for their first home match against the Juniata College Eagles. A three goal second-half performance lifted Messiah over the visiting Eagles.
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Just as fast as Messiah dominated possession and moved deep into their offensive zone, the skies darkened and lightening delayed the match. Play was stopped at the 34:01 mark. Out of the weather delay, Messiah couldn't match their prior effort.
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"We were ready [coming out of the break], but it seemed like we were rushed and a little bit frantic," said coach
Brooke Good looking back on the delay.
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Play would go back and forth for most of the first half. Messiah's play late in the first half foreshadowed what would come in the second half. The Falcons earned two late penalty corner opportunities, but Juniata's defense stood strong inside the circle. The score remained goal-less heading into the intermission.
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"We really tried to motivate them and told them to stick with it," replied coach Good, reflecting on the first half. "We told them they are better players and practiced better than how they executed in the first half."
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After the break, Messiah came out "motivated" and pressured Juniata's defense early and often. In a 5:31 span, Messiah would score three unanswered goals.
Rachel Cox connected with
Celina Nissley inside the attacking circle; Nissley put Messiah up for good at the 40:03 mark.
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The Falcons continued to control the game in the offensive third, but
Gina Kellett and
Emily Bower's shots couldn't find the cage. However, Messiah found their second goal only 4:40 after their first. With the ball being moved effectively inside the circle, Messiah was too much for Juniata's defense. As a result, Messiah earned a penalty stroke;
Becky Ely stepped up and shot it past Julianne Jones.
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Off of an effective counter-attack Paige Gresham scored Messiah's third and final goal of the night- 51 seconds after their second. Gresham's stick found the ball in the center of the circle. Her subsequent shot went through the goalie's legs and rolled into the cage.
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With the result, Messiah improves to 3-0 on the season while Juniata falls to 1-3 overall. The Falcons' next game will come on this Saturday, Sept. 14, hosted by Salisbury University at 1:00 p.m.
