SALISBURY, Md. - The Falcons struck first with a goal from freshman Abby Boyer assisted by Josie Weaver but the No. 7 Seagulls rallied back with two unanswered goals to defeat the Falcons 2-1 in regulation. Messiah controlled the pace of the game early on but Salisbury equalized the score in the first half and laid on the pressure in the last two quarters. The Seagulls found were awarded a penalty stroke just under two minutes into the fourth quarter and found the back of the cage to take the 2-1 lead and eventual victory over the No. 4 Falcons. 

Messiah dominated the attacking third in the first half, outshooting the Seagulls 11-2 but Salisbury held the Falcons shot-less in the second half while recording eight of their own. Salisbury  took the advantage in penalty corners, earning 12 to Messiah's seven. 

Early Pressure
The Falcons spent the majority of the first half on the attack, earning a penalty corner just one minute and 10 seconds into the game. After four minutes and 38 seconds of play, Kristen Musser put one on frame but the Seagulls' goalie Dom Farrace was there to make the save. The Falcons were relentless and stayed in their attacking third, earning a penalty stroke after a Salisbury foul during a corner in the circle. The stroke from Musser went just wide but the Falcons' offense didn't let up. Messiah took three more shots and earned another penalty stroke before the end of the first quarter but the score remained 0-0 as the first period came to a close.

Breaking Through
After recording seven shots to Salisbury's zero in the first period, Messiah needed just one attempt to strike first against the Seagulls. The lone goal came off the stick of freshman Abby Boyer with the assist coming from Josie Weaver, giving Messiah the 1-0 advantage just 2:22 into the second quarter.

Following the goal, the Falcons maintained possession and continued to put pressure on the Seagulls, adding three more shots to the box score in just 43 seconds. 

Equalizer 
Just a minute and 22 seconds before the end of the first half, Salisbury laid down their first two shots of the game with the second one finding the back of the cage to set the game at 1-1 heading into halftime. 

Tides Turning
Coming out of the half, Salisbury's offense sparked as they rifled a shot just seconds into the third quarter that was blocked by the Falcons. The Seagulls kept their pressure on and fired another shot but it was blocked once again. 

Salisbury held Messiah to zero shots in the third quarter, maintaining possession while earning six corners in the period. Despite the heavy pressure from the Seagulls, the score remained knotted at 1-1 as the two teams went into the fourth quarter. 

Decisive Goal
After two quick fouls from the Falcons to start the fourth quarter, Salisbury brought the ball into their attacking third and put a shot on frame but Megan Bomba was there to make the save. Just five seconds after that goal, the Seagulls capitalized on a penalty stroke to take a 2-1 lead over Messiah. With time ticking away, the Falcons pushed to battle back but Salisbury maintained momentum and held Messiah shot-less for the remainder of the game to seal the deal over the Falcons.

What's Up Next
The Falcons are now 1-2 on the season and will return to Grantham on Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m. to take on the Juniata Eagles on Anderson Field.