Grantham, PA – For the sixth time in six MAC Commonwealth contests, No. 17 Messiah College got off to a fast start and pulled away late in a double-digit win, this time 18-5 over Arcadia University.  Stephanie Athens led the attack with five goals, and eight other players scored at least once. Messiah also went a perfect 17-17 on clears to set up 38 total shots.
 
With the win Messiah advanced to 10-5 overall, including 6-0 in the MAC Commonwealth. By way over Stevenson's 9-7 win over Lebanon Valley this afternoon, which left both teams with a 5-1 record in the conference, the Falcons are now in sole possession of first place with one week remaining in the regular-season.

Athens scored the Falcons' first goal just over three minutes into the game, with Kendra Herbenar setting up the tally on a perfectly-executed pick-and-roll. That score started a 6-0 run that had the Falcons in command before 10 minutes were off the clock. Athens tallied three times alone in that stretch.

Arcadia responded with two consecutive tallies of their own--one each from Allegra Benites and Nicole Hutson-- but Athens came right back with her fourth goal of the game as Messiah was on their way to a 9-4 halftime lead. Courtney Wagner tallied the final goal of the half off a free-position shot with just two seconds on the clock.

Like she did to start the game, Athens started the next period with a goal as Messiah eventuall grew their lead to 16-4. In total they would outscore the Knights 9-1 in the final 30 minutes, even scoring a man-down goal after Ellery Klineyoung stuffed the Knights' chance on the advantage. Herbenar put that goal through, one of her three on the day.

Wagner also tallied three times.

Alexa Dipeso (6) and Klineyoung comined for eight saves as Messiah relented just 13 total shots on goal to the visitors.

Messiah will next play on Tuesday when travel to Alvernia University for a game at 4:00 p.m. The regular-season will conclude one week from today when the Falcons play at Lebanon Valley.