GRANTHAM, Pa. - The No. 13 Messiah field hockey team earned a 4-1 victory over the visiting Widener Pride on a perfect Saturday Homecoming afternoon. Hannah Palm got the Falcons on the board midway through the first quarter after a fantastic effort by Josie Weaver on the end line. Goals from Nicole Shank and Abby Boyer followed for a 3-0 Messiah lead at the half.

After the Pride struck off a deflected shot in the third quarter, Messiah put the finishing touches of the 4-1 victory with a score from Josie Weaver in the fourth quarter.

With the victory, Messiah has won seven-straight games and owns a 10-4 record on the season, including a 4-0 mark in the MAC Commonwealth. The Pride fall to 13-2 on the season and 2-2 in the conference.
 
Early Pressure
Messiah earned their first penalty corner of the game 57 seconds into the contest. Mackenzie Brubaker stepped up to take the shot on the play but her attempt was saved. The Falcons took two more shots before they broke through in the seventh minute. Josie Weaver drove down the end line, passing her defender, and slotted the ball to the middle to find Hannah Palm. Palm picked up the ball right in front of the cage and found some space to rip a shot to the cage, giving Messiah a early 1-0 lead over the Pride.

The Falcons added two more shots and two more corners to the box score but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities, ending the first period with the 1-0 lead.

Dominating Possession
Messiah didn't let up in the second period, maintaining heavy pressure in the attacking third for the majority of the period. The Falcons earned a penalty corner 2:21 in the period that resulted in a shot from Kristen Musser. Musser's attempt was saved but Nicole Shank picked up the rebound and put it in the cage to double the Falcons' lead to 2-0.

Messiah kept their feet on the gas pedal, earning their third goal in the 21st minute off the stick from Abby Boyer. Boyer took a pass from Jennie Young and worked her way to her fourth goal of the season.

Messiah's defense kept the Pride off the board in the first half, not allowing Widener to register a shot or a corner.

Pride Find One
After Hannah Palm was given a green card 33 seconds into the third period, the Pride found some momentum. Widener earned their first and second corners of the contest with the second one resulting in a goal for the Pride, making it 3-1 in the 35th minute.

Closing It Out
Despite the early goal from Widener, Messiah was dominant for the remainder of the game. The Falcons outshot the Pride 8-1 in the third period and 9-1 in the fourth period. Messiah earned a total of eight corners in the second half with an even 4-4 split. Widener was only able to earned a total of four corners in the second half.

Messiah capped off the game with a fourth goal in the 51st minute. After back-to-back corners, Kristen Musser slotted the ball to Josie Weaver to set her up for the goal, giving Messiah a 4-1 lead and eventual victory over the Pride. Widener earned a penalty corner with seven seconds remaining on the clock and took a shot but their attempt was blocked. The Pride earned one final chance with an untimed penalty corner but couldn't make anything of the opportunity.

What's Up Next
Messiah will stay at home for a midweek MAC Commonwealth matchup against the Lebanon Valley Dutchmen on Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m.