XML Box Score Grantham, PA – For all intents and purposes, Thursday's Commonwealth Semifinal match-up with Alvernia had all the makings of a "trap game" for the Falcons. After all, Messiah just played (and defeated) the Crusaders over the weekend, the Falcons were hosting as the No. 1 seed, and the game was delayed a day because of poor weather.
Apparently, the Falcons didn't get that script.
Lizzy Keeney tallied just 59 seconds into the game and Messiah took a 10-0 lead at halftime en route to a 19-1 win. Keeney finished with five goals and four assists and
Carly Bajus and
Madi Brunk combined for another six tallies.
The win pushed Messiah into Saturday's conference final against No. 2 Stevenson, who defeated No. 3 Lebanon Valley 13-10. The Falcons will play host at 1:00 p.m.
Messiah scored five times in the first ten minutes against Alvernia, with Keeney (2),
Carly Bajus,
Madi Brunk, and
Claire Stikeleather all tallying. Keeney's third goal of the game came soon after by way of a crafty move from around the back of the cage.
The Falcons scored 10 times in the first period, with 18 of their 24 shots going on frame. On the other end Messiah relented just six shots, five of which were saved by
Sarah Dolan. The defensive effort by the Falcons also played dividends in the midfield where many of the Crusaders' 15 first period turnovers occurred.
In contrast, Messiah turned the ball over just eight times in the first half and finished with just 10 total giveaways—a season low. They also finished a perfect 14-14 on clears.
In the second period Messiah scored nine more goals on 13 more shots. Candace Knight finally ended the shutout with Alvernia's lone goal at the 7:22 mark.
Madi Brunk added two assists to her three goals and now sits just two assists shy of the program's single-season record (42). Stikeleather and
Casey Daggett both scored twice while four other Falcons also tallied. Keeney (5) and
Molly Devilbiss (4) also combined for nine draw controls to help Messiah finished with a 14-8 edge in that category.
As mentioned, Messiah will now prepare for Stevenson. The game will be a rematch of
the Falcons' 14-8 victory just 10 days ago.
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