READING, Pa. - The No. 2 Messiah field hockey survived a double-overtime match against the Alvernia Golden Wolves on Friday night, eventually earning a 2-1 victory off a goal from Kris Levesque just over a minute into the second overtime period. The Falcons trailed 1-0 at the half following an early goal from Morgan Mondschein in the 16th minute of the match.

Messiah quickly evened the score just 47 seconds into the second-half off a tally from Josie Weaver. The score remained even at 1-1 despite an 11-1 Messiah advantage in shots in the second-half.

With the game heading to overtime, the Falcons controlled possession for the first period, but things remained even. That changed just over a minute into the second, sudden-victory overtime period. Kezia Loht broke free of three Golden Wolves down the right-side of the field, running with Kris Levesque to her left in a two on one situation with the Alvernia goalie. The goalie played the pass, but Loht's pass slipped to Levesque and the sophomore finished the match with a shot to an open goal.

With the win Messiah moves to 4-0 in the MAC Commonwealth and remains perfect on the season with a 13-0 overall record. The Falcons will next be in action on Wednesday when they travel to Annville to take on the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen under the lights at 7:00 p.m.

Early Deficit
Messiah controlled the pace of play in the early going of Friday's match, taking the first three shots and first three penalty corners of the match. The tide turned when Alvernia's Andera Zimmerman attempted a pair of shots 14 minutes into the game. Both shots were turned away by Shelby Landes in cage for Messiah, but Alvernia continued to pressure and less than a minute and a half later the Golden Wolves found the first tally of the contest.

Morgan Mondschein stole the ball from Messiah 35 yards from the cage and carried forward with Falcons draped around her. She eventually ripped a shot while falling to the turf that found the back of the cage and gave Alvernia a 1-0 lead 15:40 into the match.

Facing their second deficit of the season (Sept. 26 vs. Franklin & Marshall), Messiah continued to pressure for the remainder of the half, but the lead remained 1-0 in favor of the Golden Wolves at halftime.

Back To Even
The Falcons wasted little time after the half getting on the board and evening the score. Just 47 seconds into the second-half, Messiah leveled the score with a tally from Josie Weaver off a feed from Mackenzie Brubaker. A feed from Brubaker found the stick of Weaver and the sophomore forward carried the ball down the field before finding the equalizer on the first shot of the half for either side.

Messiah's pressure throughout the remainder of the half was relentless with the Falcons attempting 10 more shots in the next 34-plus minutes against just one attempt for Alvernia. Neither team was able to find a go-ahead tally during regulation and the match turned to overtime tied 1-1.

13th-Straight Victory
Just as they did throughout much of regulation, the Falcons controlled overtime. Messiah attempted six shots in the extra time compared to just one shot from the Golden Wolves. Despite taking just one shot, the Alvernia attempt was a dangerous one. Five minutes into the first overtime period, Alvernia's Erica Groves ripped a shot off a penalty corner that sailed just wide of the left post.

Messiah also had dangerous moments in overtime with shots from Shayna Landis (two), Kristen Musser (two), and Kezia Loht all being turned away by the Alvernia goalie. Just 64 seconds into the second overtime period, Messiah found themselves in a two-on-one situation with the Alvernia goalie. Kezia Loht had broken free from three Alvernia defenders on the right-side of the field and carried into the circle with Kris Levesque to her left. Loht slotted a pass just past the out-stretched reach of the Alvernia goalie and to the waiting stick of Levesque, who finished into the left-side of the cage for the 2-1 Messiah victory.

With the victory, Messiah improves to 2-0 in games decided in overtime and moves their win-streak to 13 games to open the season. In the contest, the Falcons outshot the Golden Wolves 23-5, putting 18 shots on goal against four from Alvernia.

What's Up Next
With the victory, Messiah moves to 13-0 on the season and holds a 4-0 MAC Commonwealth record. The Falcons will face their next test on Wednesday when they travel to Lebanon Valley to take on the Dutchmen. Lebanon Valley currently holds a 6-7 overall record (1-2 in conference), but will be in action tomorrow night when they host the Albright Lions.