GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 5 Messiah field hockey team dropped a close matchup against No. 10 Ursinus College, 2-1, at Anderson Field on Wednesday night. The setback is just the second loss of the Falcons' season, as Makayla Malcolm's tally in the second quarter was Messiah's lone goal.
 
Malcolm's goal was her seventh of the season, a team-high mark. Messiah goalkeeper Catie Brubaker ended the game with three saves, upping her season total to 20.
 
The visiting Bears, looking for their sixth win of the season, got off to a fast start. Sophomore midfielder/forward Ellie Bruggeman darted through the Messiah defense to score just 20 seconds into the game. Ursinus jumped ahead to a quick 1-0 edge, putting early pressure on the Falcons. Messiah, throughout the remainder of the opening period, was able to fire off six shots towards the Bears' cage. Five of the shots were on target, but Ursinus goalkeeper Jordan Ulsh stopped all five shots. The Falcons trailed through one period of play, 1-0.
 
Messiah was much more efficient in the second quarter, recording just one shot on goal, but finding the back of the cage on the effort. The Falcons pressed on throughout most of the second quarter, thwarting any offensive pressure from Ursinus with firm defensive plays. With just 1:12 remaining in the half, Messiah struck, leveling the contest at 1-1. Malcolm was the goal scorer, tallying her team-leading seventh goal of the season. After a half of play, the two top-ten sides were knotted up at one goal each.
 
The offensive momentum that the Falcons created with their second quarter goal carried on in to the third quarter of play. Messiah had a phenomenal chance on net just three minutes into the period when Ashlyn Smith lifted a shot just inside of the shooting circle. The ball was batted down by Ulsh as the junior goalkeeper sprawled out to her left side, keeping the game level at 1-1. Smith's shot on cage was ultimately the best chance of the quarter for the Falcons. Messiah's defense staved off the attacks from the Bear's offense as the third quarter proved to be scoreless.
 
The stage was set for the fourth quarter with the score level at 1-1. The Falcons, in identical fashion to the third quarter, had a prompt chance on cage. Kathryn Armstrong, despite a tight angle, squeezed a shot on Ursinus' net just 59 seconds into the period. The shot was denied by Ulsh, but the Messiah offense continued to be relentless. The Falcons earned consecutive penalty corners, coming up empty-handed. With under ten minutes to play, the momentum shifted to the visiting Bears. Ursinus claimed two penalty corners, putting pressure on Messiah. The Falcons' defense held firm, but Jordan Moore of Ursinus notched her sixth goal of the season with just 3:01 remaining on the game clock. The late goal proved to be decisive as the Bears prevailed by a narrow 2-1 margin.
 
As mentioned, Brubaker recorded three saves in the defeat, as Ashlyn Smith was credited with the assist on Malcolm's goal, her 12th point of the season. The loss drops Messiah's record to 7-2 on the season.  
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons continue their MAC Commonwealth schedule when they host Albright College at Anderson Field this Saturday, Oct. 2, at 1:00 p.m.