Grantham, PA - Taylor Holt scored the game-winning goal with eight minutes left and Carissa Gehman added an empty-net tally in the final minutes to take down defending National Champion Middlebury College by a score of 4-2.
 
With the win, Messiah will advance to their 15th Final Four in program history and first since 2010, when they fell to Bowdoin in overtime.
 
"We knew that they were a really good side and would really challenge us, really bring out the best in us," said head coach Brooke Good after the game. "It was really focusing on doing the little things well."

Messiah outshot the Panthers 15-7 (12-4 on goal) in the game, and gained eight penalty corners to Middlebury's five. Panther keeper Emily Miller notched eight saves on the afternoon compared to two for Shelby Landes.

The Falcons played the entire game without their second-leading scorer, Moriah Pfautz, who injured her knee in the Second Round win over Keene State on Saturday.
 
Neither team would break through for a shot throughout the first ten minutes. Messiah then found a great chance, as they gained back-to-back penalty corners in the 11th and 12th minutes. However, a save by Miller on the first and a dangerous shot from Kaylor Rosenberry on the second negated the opportunity.
 
Middlebury countered with a quick attack, getting the ball to Annie Leonard just past midfield, who weaved her way through multiple defenders and got to the right side for a shot that snuck just between Landes' foot and the post for the goal. It was the Panthers' only shot of the first half, but they made it count, taking the early 1-0 lead.
 
In the 19th minute, Messiah gained a penalty corner that was taken by Taylor Holt. She sent it to Nicole Wilkerson at the top of the circle, who continued it over to Gehman on the on the left side for a rip towards the top left corner. Miller made a fantastic glove save and knocked the ball out-of-bounds, keeping the Falcons off the board.
 
Just under ten minutes to play in the first-half, the Falcons were granted a golden opportunity by the Panthers, as Middlebury committed a foul in the circle that resulted in a penalty stroke. Sophomore defender Shayna Landis stepped up to the spot, and calmly sent the ball just under Miller's glove to her left to tie the game at one. The goal was Landis' first of her career, coming in the biggest game of her career thus far.
 
The Falcons had momentum on their side, as in the 30th minute they received another penalty corner. Holt sent it to Loht on the left side of the circle, who stepped up and delivered her patented loft shot up and over the defense. The ball was slightly touched by Miller, hit the right post, but still fell into the cage to give the Falcons a 2-1 lead.
 
At the half, Messiah had 11 shots with eight going on goal. As mentioned, Middlebury only had one shot that went through for a score.
 
The second-half started out slowly, with Messiah playing tough defense and Middlebury looking for the equalizing goal. The Panthers were granted a penalty corner in the 44th minute, which they were able to convert for their second goal in as many shots. Audrey Quirk sent it in to Grace Jennings for the stick stop, and Lauren Schweppe stepped up for the blasted shot that flew past Landes' right leg and into the goal.
 
The 53rd minute nearly saw a carbon copy of Middlebury's second goal, but luckily for the Falcons Shelby Landes was able to see the ball and slide over to kick it away from the cage to keep the score knotted at two.
 
Messiah looked to retake the lead in the 62nd minute, as Holt sent a penalty corner in to Wilkerson at the top for the stick stop, which Gehman blasted towards goal. A Panther defender managed to get a stick on the ball and pop it up into the air, and Miller got her glove to it first to knock it away.
 
The threat was not over though, as the Falcons got another corner. Holt again took it, sending the ball straight to Gehman this time, who slapped the ball towards goal. Holt ran in from the corner position and knocked the ball out of midair and into the cage for the 3-2 lead.
 
Middlebury would not go away quietly, as they gained a penalty corner in the 64th minute that was knocked around in front of goal for a few tense seconds until Landis was able to clear.
 
The Panthers sensed the time running out on their season, so they subbed out keeper Miller during a time-out at the 65:19 mark, and played the rest of the game with an empty cage.
 
The strategy almost worked, as they very nearly scored with 90 seconds left when a shot by Kelly Coyle went just wide right of the cage.
 
However, Messiah took the ensuing possession and got the ball to Loht on the right side, who sprinted past multiple defenders to fire a pass to Gehman at the top of the circle. With an empty cage, Gehman took her time to collect, set, and fire the ball in for the score, all but ensuring the Falcon victory.
 
Middlebury was not able to register a shot in the final minute, and the Falcons came out on top by a 4-2 score to advance to the Final Four.
 
"We feel good about our position, but we never take anything for granted," Good said, when asked about preparation for the semifinals. "This is what we play for, what we prepare for, but ultimately there are a lot of bigger things that make it special."
 
Messiah advances to take on No. 7 Babson in the NCAA Division III Final Four in Geneva, NY. The Falcons and Beavers will face off on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11:00 a.m.