Grantham, PA - The Messiah Falcons field hockey team earned their second win against a nationally ranked opponent on Wednesday as they defeated the No. 13 University of Mary Washington Eagles by a score of 3-1. With the win the Falcons' record moves over .500 for the first time on the year, now sitting at 5-4.
 
The Falcons dominated play in the first-half, earning seven penalty corners while the Eagles earned none. Messiah also outshot the Eagles 8-4 in the first-half, but the Falcons only put a single shot on frame in the first 35 minutes. The lone shot on goal was by Moriah Pfautz 25 minutes into the first-half, but Jessica Cavolt, Mary Washington's keeper, turned it away.
 
 After the intermission the Falcons didn't waste too much time taking a lead. Just four minutes into the second-half Kristin Donohue carried the ball down the right sideline and into the circle on the right side. Donohue sent a centering pass into the middle of the circle that found the stick of Moriah Pfautz and she chipped in over the goalie's pads and into the back of the cage.
 
The Falcons clung to that 1-0 lead for the next 10 minutes, until Carissa Gehman earned the Falcons first penalty stroke of the season. Gehman connected on the penalty stroke to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead.
 
With 20 minutes remaining the Falcons were in good shape, but added an insurance goal off the stick of Kezia Loht in the 64th minute for good measure. Off a penalty corner, Kristin Donohue feed Loht on the left side of the circle. Loht sent a high shot over top of the defense and goalie that just crossed the line. The goal was Loht's second of the season and gave Messiah a 3-0 lead.
 
With less than four minutes remaining the Eagles got on the board off a penalty corner. The Eagles were looking to cut the Falcons' lead to one in the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty stoke. Jenna Steele took the stroke but it was saved by Megan Wetzel, Messiah's goalie, who had entered the game just a few minutes earlier.
 
The penalty stoke was the Eagles last real chance of the game and Messiah earned a 3-1 victory. With the win the Falcons improved to 5-4 on the season and will next take the field on Saturday, Oct. 3 when they travel to Stevenson. Game time set for 7:00 p.m.