Williamsport, PA - No. 17 Messiah College scored eight of the game's first nine goals and rode a 10-2 halftime advantage to an 18-7 win at Lycoming College on Wednesday afternoon. Claire Stikeleather and Stephanie Athens combined to score seven goals to lead the strong effort.
 
The win pushed Messiah to 7-4 overall and 3-0 in the Commonwealth Conference. Lycoming fell to 7-3, and also 0-3 in the conference.
 
The Warriors actually scored first in the game, doing so just 39 seconds after the first whistle. But Messiah responded in loud fashion, scoring eight-straight times to take a commanding 8-1 lead. Marybeth Bindel and Carly Bajus each scored twice in that streak.
 
After Lycoming ended the Falcons' run to draw within 8-2, Stikeleather and Ida Ehrhardt ended the half with goals to give Messiah their largest lead of the day to that point.
 
The second-half showed much of the Falcons' same dominance, with Lycoming scoring the game's final three goals to make the score as close as it was.
 
Messiah outshot the Warriors 38-14, with as impressive 30 of the Falcons' attempt going on cage. The Falcons also dominated possession, collecting 20 of the 25 draw controls while making good on 10 of 13 clears.
 
In total, 11 different players scored for Messiah, while 13 different players collected at least one point. Jenna Stover and Madi Brunk each collected two assists.
 
The Falcons will next play on Saturday of this week when they host Lebanon Valley at 1:00 p.m. The Dutchmen have the same record as the Falcons, both overall (7-4) and in the conference (3-0).