Grantham, PA - No. 4 Messiah women's lacrosse grabbed an early lead and never looked back in a 15-4 win over Stevenson in the MAC Commonwealth Championship on Saturday afternoon. Stephanie Athens scored four goals and Alexa Dipeso collected nine saves to lead the Falcons to their third-straight conference title.
 
With the win Messiah moved to 15-2 on the season, while Stevenson fell to 10-8.

Messiah will now await their draw for the NCAA Championship Tournament, which begins a week from today.
 
Familiar Foe and the Drive for Three
Messiah and Stevenson matched up in the MAC Commonwealth Championship for fourth-straight time, and the Falcons secured their third-straight title. Back in the 2014 the Mustangs won 13-12 on a heartbreaking last-second score, but Messiah has since outscored the Mustangs 11-6, 13-3, and now 15-4 in the last three meetings.
 
This was Messiah's sixth conference championship, and they've qualified for their seventh-straight NCAA Tournament.
 
Streaky Scoring
Messiah started Saturday's game with three-straight tallies in the first 4:42 of play. Moments later Mallory Davila got Stevenson on the board, but the Falcons responded with another three-straight goals to go up 6-1. Impressively, five different players combined to put Messiah up 5-1, and Jenna Stover's second goal of the game put them up 6-1 with just over seven minutes to play.
 
Later in the first-half Stevenson cut their deficit to 7-3, and it was at that point that Messiah put together their longest scoring streak of the afternoon, a 7-0 run that went all the way until the 6:15 mark of the final period.
 
The Falcons' last goal of that decision-sealing streak was Brooke Gamble's first tally of the season. The senior, who went on to be named the tournament's Most Valuable Player thanks to her defensive efforts, took a clear up through the midfield and to the cage for an uncontested shot on goalie Mack Ferguson.
 
Defensive Chops
Saturday marked the seventh time this season Messiah held an opponent to four goals or less. Olivia Monteiro, the MAC Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Year, was held to just a single goal and two assists on six total shots. The Falcons also forced Monteiro into four turnovers as they consistently forced her to the slide and double.
 
The Falcons caused eight of Stevenson's 16 turnovers, but both the one-on-one and fundamental play by the defensive unit was the story in the win. Gamble and Kendra Herbenar were primary defenders on Monteiro, while Allie Colson, Ehrhardt, Claire Griffin, and Kathryn Milwicz were especially effective.
 
As mentioned, Dipeso finished with nine saves, including six in the second-half to support Messiah's growing lead. Two of those six saves came on free-position shots by Monteiro and Brady Heher, the top-two scorers for the Mustangs.
 
Messiah's defensive ride was also terrific from start to finish as they held Stevenson to just 13-19 on clears while consistently slowing down the Mustang advance.
 
In the Box
The teams played through rain and wind for almost the entire game, and the conditions led to some stretches of sloppy play. Messiah committed 19 turnovers to the Mustangs 16, though Messiah had just eight giveaways in the final period.
 
Mallory Davila led the Mustangs with two goals, with Heher and Monteiro each collecting a single tally. Athens led Messiah with four goals while Ehrhardt, Stover, and Claire Stikeleather each scored twice. Five other Falcons each tallied a single goal. Three Falcons—Athens, Stikeleather, and Stover—handed out two assists.
 
Next Up
The NCAA Selection Show will air tomorrow, Sunday, May 7, at 9:30 p.m. As mentioned, this marks Messiah's seventh qualification for the NCAA Tournament.
 
Fans are encouraged to follow GoMessiah.com on Sunday for a link to the Selection Show.