XML Box Score by Zac Hoy, GoMessiah.com reporterGrantham, PA – The Messiah College Falcons improved to 9-6 overall and 5-1 in the Commonwealth as they defeated Stevenson University, 14-8. The sixth-straight win for the Falcons pushed Messiah into a three-way tie in first place atop the Commonwealth standings with Stevenson University and Lebanon Valley College; Stevenson entered the day in sole possession of first place, with a record of 5-0, before Messiah handed them their first conference loss of the season.
Lizzy Keeney led the way for the Falcons, as she scored five goals on the day, and
Madi Brunk added three goals and tallied an assist. Kathryn Merrick scored three goals for the Mustangs in the losing effort.
The Falcons jumped on the Mustangs early. Eight minutes into the contest senior
Lizzy Keeney scored her second goal of the game on a free position attempt, giving the Falcons a 5-1 lead on Stevenson.
After a goal by Merrick for the Mustangs,
Claire Stikeleather responded with a goal from an assist by
Jenna Stover, putting the Falcons ahead 6-2. A minute later, Stikeleather struck again, as she scored her second goal of the game with 17 minutes remaining in the first half.
The Mustangs were plagued by penalties throughout the game, as four of the game's five yellow cards went against Stevenson. With nine minutes remaining in the first half, Mustang goalie Leanne Bittner was penalized for a check to the head of Keeney. Bittner had to be replaced for two minutes, with
Jenna Stover soon tallying for an 7-4 lead.
Soon after that score
Molly Devilbiss caused a turnover by Olivia Monteiro, picked up the groundball, then proceeded to pass the ball the length of the field to find
Madi Brunk. The junior took the pass, sprinted in, and scored with only five seconds remaining in the half, which gave the Falcons an 8-4 lead going into halftime.
Messiah started the second half strong, as they scored three consecutive goals to start the half—two by Brunk and one by Keeney— to push their lead to 11-4. The Mustangs never got closer than six, as the Falcons held strong and scored when needed to secure the victory.
The Falcons relied on their defense throughout the game, as the Mustangs high-powered offense was contained for most of the afternoon. Keeper
Sarah Dolan only allowed seven goals and had five saves.
Messiah also had to battle through a more-than-90-minute lightning delay with 5:22 remaining in the second half. Upon returning to the field the teams played end-to-end but also a little sloppy. They traded goals in the final minute.
Messiah now shares a spot atop the Commonwealth standings with only one conference game remaining for each of the top three teams. The Falcons will travel to Alvernia University on Saturday in their regular-season finale as they try to clinch the first seed in the Commonwealth playoffs that begin next week.
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