GRANTHAM, Pa. – Megan Wetzel struck off a penalty corner in each half with strikes from the top of the circle to give No. 2 Messiah field a 2-1 victory over the Catholic University Cardinals on Wednesday evening. Wetzel found the back of the cage midway through the opening half on the first penalty corner of the night for the Falcons to give Messiah a 1-0 lead. The one-goal lead held until the 55th minute when Wetzel stuck again off a pass from Emily Knepp.
 
The Cardinals stuck for a goal with just seven minutes remaining in the match on the first career tally from freshman Hannah Bateman. The pace of play stepped up considerably in the final minutes, but Messiah weathered the rapid pace and held on for their sixth-straight victory to open the season.
 
Messiah remains undefeated on the season with a 6-0 record and will take the field in their MAC Commonwealth opener on Saturday when they travel to Widener at 1:00 p.m.
 
Controlling Possession
The Falcons dictated the pace of the match for the vast majority of play, steadily pushing possession into the attacking third. Despite this pressure, Messiah was unable to earn a penalty corner until the midpoint of the opening half. Megan Wetzel connect with a big swing after an insertion from Kezia Loht on that first penalty corner and Messiah held a 1-0 lead through halftime.
 
Following the break, Messiah continued to pressure with four penalty corners in the first five minutes of the second-half, but the Falcons were unable to score until a corner in the 55th minute. It was Wetzel taking the strong stroke from the top of the circle yet again, with the same result. The senior found the back of the cage to give Messiah the 2-0 lead.
 
In the match, Catholic attempted just three shots, putting one on frame against 13 shots for Messiah with nine on target.
 
Closing Time
Following a tally from Catholic's Hannah Bateman with seven minutes remaining, the Cardinals turned up the pressure for the final minutes. The pace of the match went end line to end line over the final few minutes but Messiah was able to weather to frantic pace without allowing a shot to close out their sixth victory of the season.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will next take the field on Saturday when they open MAC Commonwealth play on the road against the Widener Pride at 1:00 p.m. Prior to the season the Falcons were selected as the favorites to claim the conference title for the 12th-straight season. The journey through conference play kicks off this weekend in Chester.