9-25-13-main

Falcons' Early Lead Disappears Against Bears

9/25/2013 8:36:00 PM

XML Box Score by Phil Naegely, GoMessiah.com reporter

Collegeville, PA – With a week since their last game, the Falcons traveled to Ursinus College looking for their second-straight victory. In a rematch of the 2006 National Championship, Messiah took the lead just 68 seconds in the game, but Ursinus battled back and scored two second-half goals to win 2-1

Gina Kellett scored her season's first goal just 68 seconds in to put Messiah ahead. The Falcons kept the pressure on the Bears soon after—with Kellett almost finding her second goal of the game—only to see Ursinus' defense and goalie stand strong to keep the score 1-0.
 
As the first half progressed, the game's momentum slowly shifted to the Bears; despite trailing 1-0 heading into the intermission, they outshot Messiah 13-8 and had the 6-5 advantage in penalty corners. After earning a penalty corner with less than three minutes left in the first-half (32:57), Ursinus earned a penatly stroke moments later. With both teams looking on, Molly Gebrosky stood strong in the cage as Megan Keenan readied for the shot. Keenan's shot went wide left as the Falcons sighed momentarily in relief. After the penalty stroke, Ursinus regained possession and found themselves with another prime scoring chance. In the matter of 15 seconds, three different Ursinus players had their shot saved, hit the post, and go wide.
 
Ursinus built off their late first-half chances and responded in a short span after the break, notching goals in the 43rd and 50th minutes to go ahead. Kennan redeemed her missed penalty stroke by blasting in the equalizer. Off a penalty corner, the pass found her at the top of the circle and she fired it on home. Devin Brakel was in the right place at the right time and put the hosts up for good soon after as she found the rebound off Gebrosky's save and sent the home crowd into a bear-like roar.
 
Despite multiple offensive attacks late into the second-half, Messiah couldn't connect their passes in the offensive third and were unable to force the game into overtime.
 
"We had a strong first-half and created a lot of opportunities, but Ursinus countered in the second-half and put a ton of pressure on our defense," said Messiah head coach Brooke Good. "Our defense and goalie did a great job tonight. The score difference could have been even greater, but we stayed strong and forced Ursinus to work for their goals."
 
Gebrosky made nine saves on the night, and led a strong defensive effort that kept the score line close.
 
"Molly made several big saves to keep us in the game. This was one of her best games on her career," Good said.
 
The loss drops Messiah to 4-2 on the season while Ursinus moves up to the same record. Messiah begins Commonwealth Conference play Saturday against Alvernia University. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

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