YORK, Pa. - The No. 2 Messiah field hockey team opened play in the 2018 season on Friday evening against the York Spartans and earned a 4-1 victory. Megan Wetzel tallied a pair of goals, including a penalty stroke in the closing seconds of the game to ice the season opening victory for the Falcons.
 
In addition to her late goal, Wetzel opened the game with the first tally of the season for Messiah, just over two minutes into play off an assist from Casie Stief. Hannah Palm and Taylor Wiederrecht each notched first-half goals to help the Falcons to a 3-0 lead at the break.
 
Messiah controlled play in the opening half, earning an 8-0 advantage in shots before the half. Overall, Messiah held an 18-5 advantage in shots.
 
How it Happened
Two minutes into the season, Messiah earned their first penalty corner of the year and Wetzel wasted little time taking advantage of the Falcons' first scoring opportunity. The senior hammered home the one-time shot off the insertion from Stief to put Messiah up 1-0.
 
The lead doubled on a goal from Hannah Palm just under 12 minutes later. Palm took care of a loose ball in front of the cage for her first tally of the campaign. Then, just past the midpoint of the opening half, Kezia Loht sent a long shot in from the wing. Wiederrecht was there to deflect the shot into the back of the cage, giving Messiah the 3-0 advantage.
 
Messiah opened the second-half with a strong run of play in the first six minutes, registering three shots, but attempts by Loht and Kaylor Rosenberry were blocked and a shot by Kristen Musser went wide. Following the stretch, York settled down and played a strong middle portion of the half. The Spartans got on the board in the 45th minute with a goal from Meghan Heary off a cross from Amanda Boclair.
 
Messiah got back in the driver's seat for the final 10 minutes of the contest. Wetzel put the finishing touches on the 4-1 victory with a penalty stroke goal in the final minute of the game.
 
In the Box Score
Messiah held distinct advantages in shots (18-5) and penalty corners (9-3), but the Spartans picked up four saves while Messiah did not register any in the game.
 
Messiah shared the offensive opportunities on Friday with eight different players taking at least one in the match.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will play their first home game on the newly renovated Anderson Field on Wednesday night when they host the Ursinus Bears at 7:00 p.m. Watch the Falcons and Bears live at GoMessiah.tv.