BALTIMORE, Md. - The Falcons struck first in the NCAA Second Round contest against No. 6 Johns Hopkins but a third period charge from the Blue Jays proved too much as Messiah fell 3-2, ending the season with an overall record of 17-5. 

After heavy pressure from the Blue Jays to start the contest, Messiah gained momentum minutes before the end of the first half. Much like the Falcons' First Round game against Worcester St., it was Hannah Palm finding the cage in the 11th minute, giving Messiah a 1-0 lead. The Blue Jays responded in the 26th minute to even the score but Hannah Palm  wouldn't be denied in the 37th minute, giving Messiah a 2-1 lead. 

In the closing minutes of the third period it was the Blue Jays on the attack. Johns Hopkins forced their way into the circle and sent in the equalizer in the 43rd minute. Just over a minute later, the Blue Jays hit the eventual game winner, taking a 3-2 lead. 

The Falcons had a late opportunity in the fourth period but the Blue Jays defense held of the attempt, ending the Falcons' season for the second season in a row. 

Blue Jays Possess, Falcons Strike
From the opening whistle, Johns Hopkins was all over the ball, earning their first penalty corner of the game in the fourth minute. Megan Bomba made the save off their attempt but the Blue Jays were awarded another corner just two seconds after the save. This time around, the Blue Jays sent a shot in the went high over the cage. 

Messiah responded with back-to-back shot but Taylor Wiederrecht's shot was blocked while Hannah Palm's was saved. A little over five minutes later, the Falcons earned a penalty corner with 4:55 left to play in the first period. Off the corner, Mackenzie Brubaker ripped a shot in on frame but it was saved. Her attempt was deflected around the circle momentarily until Hannah Palm stepped up and tapped it in to give Messiah a 1-0 lead that would hold through the remainder of the period. 

Blue Jays Tie It Up
Messiah earned the first corner of the second period but couldn't take a shot. The Blue Jays countered, possessing the ball as they waited for an opportunity to strike. That opportunity came in the 26th minute when Maddie Brown-Sherer took a pass from Bryn Rolon and put it in to make it 1-1. The Blue Jays earned two more penalty corners and three more shots but the Falcons' defense was there to block all three shots.

Palm Strikes Again
Josie Weaver took a shot just a minute and 19 seconds into the third but it was saved. The Blue Jays responded with heavy pressure, earning three corners and three saves but couldn't find the cage, thanks to a big defensive save from Claire Myers. 

On a long counter opportunity, Jennie Young slotted a far through ball to Hannah Palm who took a shot over the charging goalie to make it 2-1 in the 37th minute. Notably, Palm's 19 goals this season tie her for 24th in program history in goals scored in a single season. 

Blue Jays Attack
After Palm's goal, Johns Hopkins was ready to attack. The Blue Jays took four shots and two corners in a 2:30 span. Johns Hopkins capitalized on the heavy pressure, forcing a 2-2 tie game in the 43rd minute. Just over a minute later, the Blue Jays squeaked another goal in to take a 3-2 lead that would prove to be too much for the Falcons. 

Last Minute Effort 
After the Blue Jays controlled the front half of the fourth period, they were given a green card that sparked the Falcons' attack with 4:04 remaining in regulation. Messiah kept the ball in their attacking third and managed to earn a penalty corner in the 59th minute. Off the corner, Mackenzie Brubaker ripped a shot from the top of the circle that was on its way into the cage until the Blue Jays' Sarah Matyas made the defensive save with 27 seconds on the clock. 

The Falcons end the regular season with an overall record of 17-5 with the 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Messiah will graduate their three seniors Megan Bomba, Kristen Musser, and Taylor Wiederrecht. Over the last four season these seniors have accumulated an overall record of 81-8, including a 2016 National Championship Title, a Runner-Up finish in the 2017 season, and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2018 and this season.