GRANTHAM, Pa. - No. 16 Messiah women's lacrosse built a six-goal lead midway through the second-half and were able to hold on down the stretch to defeat Dickinson College on Wednesday afternoon.

After a close, low-scoring first-half that saw the Falcons take a 5-3 lead, Messiah's offense came to life after the break. Dickinson opened the period with a score to cut the lead to one, but the Falcons countered with five-straight goals and six of the next seven to take an 11-5 lead with 12:10 to play. The Red Devils put forth a great comeback effort, cutting the lead back down to one with five-straight goals, but Messiah was able to hold on for the win.

The Red Devils had gotten the best of the Falcons each time over a four-year stretch from 2013-2016, but Messiah has now taken the last two meetings of the local rivals to bring the all-time series to 12-9 in favor of the Falcons.

Annika Johnsen finished the game with a hat trick and an assist on five shots, while Madi Morris contributed two goals on three shots. Kendra Herbenar earned six draw controls, caused four turnovers, and picked up eight ground balls from her defensive position, and Amber Orner recorded 11 saves in goal for the Falcons. The game was very even from a statistical perspective, as Messiah tallied just one more shot (28-27) than Dickinson and committed 21 turnovers to the Red Devils' 19.

The game started slow, with each team trying to figure out the other's defensive scheme as neither side was able to get a goal on the board over the first 15 minutes. The scoring picked up after that, as Madi Morris and Annika Johnsen both scored to give Messiah a 2-0 lead with 10:11 remaining in the opening half. The Falcons and Red Devils would trade goals over the rest of the period, as Eliza Lortie, Johnsen, and Abby Howard found the net for Messiah as they took a 5-3 lead.

Dickinson's Eleanor Kaestner would cut the Falcon lead to one just 69 seconds into the second-half, but Messiah countered with five unanswered goals over the next 10 minutes to take a 10-4 advantage at the 18:50 mark. Morris, Courtney Wagner, Gabi Griffith, Jamie Bishop, and Annika Johnsen all scored during the run, with Johnsen's completing a hat trick. Over that stretch, Dickinson managed just two shots.

The Red Devils would not go away quietly though, as they registered six of the last seven goals of the game culminating with Kaestner's man-up score with 1:11 left to play. Dickinson's Greta Holt picked up the resulting draw control, but Anne Dunster turned the ball over with 30 seconds left and the Falcons were able to hold possession until the final horn sounded to escape with the 11-10 victory.

Messiah improves to 1-1 on the young season, while Dickinson falls to 1-1.

The Falcons next play on Saturday when they travel to face No. 10 Franklin & Marshall College at 3:00 p.m.