GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 8 Messiah field hockey team defeated Eastern University, 6-1, at Anderson Field on Saturday afternoon. Jennie Young was the offensive star of the game, tallying a game-high three goals to propel the Falcons to victory. In addition to Young's offensive production, Lauren Seubert, Ashlyn Smith, and Nicole Shank added goals to solidify the victory.
 
Messiah field hockey celebrated Senior Day, honoring its six seniors (Ashley Levesque, Kathryn Armstrong, Isabel Villegas, Jessica Davis, and Young). Despite the rainy conditions, the Senior Day festivities proved to provide plenty of goals. The Falcons' scoring began just four minutes into the contest when Messiah earned a penalty stroke. Lauren Seubert stepped up to convert the opportunity, putting the Falcons ahead, 1-0. Seubert's penalty stroke effort was her first-career goal. Young doubled Messiah's advantage with under three minutes to play in the opening quarter, tallying an unassisted goal to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
Trailing, 2-0, the visiting Eagles notched a goal to trim their deficit to one goal after Hailey Ferry scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season. The shot proved to be Eastern's only shot that would reach goal for the entire afternoon. Just over a minute later, Young restored Messiah's two-goal advantage. The senior forward added her second goal of the game as Makayla Malcolm, the reigning MAC Commonwealth Offensive Player of the Week, was credited with the assist. Heading into the break, the Falcons led the Eagles, 3-1, while outshooting the visitors by 12 shots (14-2).
 
The third quarter of play was filled offensive dominance from Messiah. The Falcons outscored Eastern in the quarter, 3-0. Ashlyn Smith was the first to strike, scoring her seventh goal of the season just 1:31 into the period. The Messiah lead was 4-1 when Young completed her hat trick, increasing the advantage to four goals with 9:32 remaining in the third quarter. Nicole Shank, who was credited with an assist on Smith's tally, scored her second goal of the season with a low-driving shot. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Falcons held a commanding 6-1 lead.
 
The final period was a scoreless affair between the two sides. In the period, Messiah outshot the Eagles, 2-0. Throughout the whole second half, the Falcons' defense held firm, not allowing a single shot from Eastern. The Falcons forced ten saves from Eastern's goalkeeper, Abby Agapito.
 
For Messiah field hockey, it was a perfect way to celebrate its six seniors. Young's three goals in the game is a career-high mark, upping her season total to nine.
 
The win improves Messiah's overall record to 11-2 (6-0 MAC Commonwealth).
 
What's Next
The Falcons will be back in action this Wednesday, Oct. 20, when they travel to Catholic University of America for a 6:00 p.m. contest.