GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 8 Messiah women's lacrosse team issued a full-team effort in its 2022 season-opener, topping The University of Scranton, 9-0. The Falcons had eight different players record goals as Hope Flack (2) recorded a multi-goal performance. Rachel Delate dished out three assists while recording a third-quarter goal, notching a game-high four points.
 
Messiah clashed with the Royals for the first time since the 2020 season, topping Scranton at home, 14-11 (Feb. 22). Hope Flack tallied an impressive six goals in the win, foreshadowing today's multi-goal contest from the senior midfielder.
 
The Falcons controlled the opening draw and did not wait long to score their first goal of the season. Controlling possession for the opening minute, Delate found a slashing Flack towards the net, setting up an easy finish for the senior midfielder. Just 1:11 into the contest, Messiah owned a 1-0 edge over the Royals. The remainder of the quarter proved to be end-to-end action between the two sides. Messiah survived a woman-up advantage for Scranton after a yellow card was issued to Katie Heck. The Falcons' defense prevailed, doubling their advantage with just 1:32 remaining in the quarter behind a goal from Makenzie Schnur. At the end of the first quarter, Messiah led the Royals, 2-0. Messiah outshot Scranton in the period, 6-3, causing five turnovers.
 
The two sides traded shots in the beginning portions of the second quarter. Scranton goalkeeper Anna Tamke made a pair of key saves for the Royals, denying both Emma Lytle and Delate. The Falcons continued to apply offensive pressure, breaking through for a third goal at the 8:06 mark as Grace Gormley added her name to the score sheet. Right before the break, Abigail Evans added Messiah's fourth goal of the game, finding the back of the net with just 1:53 remaining in the half.
 
At the break, the Falcons led the Royals, 4-0. Messiah used four different goal-scorers in the half, outshooting Scranton 12-6.
 
The Falcons made a goalkeeper switch at the onset of the second half, substituting Mackenzie O'Haver for first-half goalkeeper Heather Burnham. Burnham turned in a solid performance, going 3-for-3 on save attempts in the first half.
 
Messiah got off to a fast start in the third quarter, scoring just one minute into the period. Delate earned her first goal of the season to put the Falcons ahead, 5-0, assisted by Schnur. Messiah increased its lead to a six-goal advantage at the 10:02 mark as Emma Lytle converted a free position shot. The goal was scored while Delate was serving a yellow card penalty, a woman-down tally. The Royals had its best chance of the game to put themselves on the board with 3:03 left on the third quarter clock. Erin Reich broke free for a wide-open attempt in front of net, but was denied with a terrific save from O'Haver. The Falcons successfully cleared the ball, promptly adding a seventh goal as Delate assisted Flack for her second tally of the contest. The Royals had an offensive chance in the closing seconds of the third quarter as Jaclyn McCusker fired a shot just wide. The Falcons led the Royals entering the final quarter of play, 7-0.
 
Messiah added its eighth goal of the game in style with 11:46 left on the clock. Flack earned a free-position shot and unselfishly found Amanda Wadsworth cutting towards the net for an easy finish, increasing the Falcons' lead to a commanding 8-0 advantage. With just under four minutes to play, Jordan Lewicki scored her first-career goal to increase the lead to 9-0, the eighth different Messiah player to notch a goal. Lewicki's tally came at the 3:50 mark as Messiah's defense continued to hold firm for the remainder of the game. As the fourth quarter officially expired, the scoreboard read 9-0 in favor of the Falcons.
 
What's Next
The Falcons return to action this Wednesday, Feb. 23, traveling to No. 9 Gettysburg College for a clash with the Bullets at 4:00 p.m.