Chester, PA. – On a rainy afternoon, the Messiah University field hockey team used a dominant defensive effort and two late goals to down Widener University, 2-0. Teagan Murrie scored the game-winning goal in the 54th minute to give the Falcons the lead. Just three minutes later, Carrie Bair scored a goal to put the game away. The Falcons defense did not allow a shot and penalty corner until the fourth quarter. Catie Brubaker earned the win in goal for the Falcons and made two saves.  
 
Next up, the Falcons return home to Anderson Field to face the Lions of Albright College on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m.
 
First Half
On a rainy afternoon, it took both teams time to get acclimated to the playing conditions. The first quarter featured only one shot from Liz Ong that went wide of the goal. The Falcons offense dominated the action in the second quarter. In the 17th minute, the Falcons look to get on the board with a shot from Carrie Bair, but the shot was saved by the Pride's goalkeeper. The Falcons continued the attack in the 17th minute with a penalty corner opportunity. Jenna Lutz sent the penalty corner into play to Nicole Shank. Shank ripped a shot, but again the shot was saved by the Pride goalkeeper to keep the score tied. The Falcons outshot the Pride 5-0 at the break but could not find the back of the goal.
 
Second Half
The Falcons offense controlled the entire third quarter. Just six minutes into the second half, Teagan Murrie, looked to get the Falcons on the board, but again the Widener goalkeeper made a save to prevent the Falcons from taking the lead. After the save, the Falcons earned a penalty corner. Jenna Lutz sent the ball into play and the ball found the stick of Teagan Murrie. Murrie ripped a shot, but once again the Widener goalkeeper was not going to make it easy on the Falcons offense. With the game still scoreless, the Falcons again pushed the tempo in the 41st minute. Madi Johnson was able to get to consecutive shots off on the Widener goalkeeper, but she continued to stand strong in goal and keep the Falcons off the board. The game continued to be dominated by strong defense by both teams and goalie play by the Pride, but the Falcons finally looked to break the tie in the 54th minute with a penalty corner opportunity. Anna Koenig sent the penalty corner into play. The ball found Teagan Murrie's stick and after being denied multiple times by the Pride goalkeeper earlier, she sent this shot into the back of the goal to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes later, Carrie Bair added an insurance goal to push the Falcons lead to 2-0 with four minutes to play. Even though the Falcons scored two deflating goals, the Pride did not go away without a fight. In the final minute, Juliana Sanchez got two shots off, but Catie Brubaker made two impressive saves to preserve the shutout.
 
Stats
Teagan Murrie and Carrie Bair scored the two goals for the Falcons. It was the sixth goal of the season for Murrie and the fifth for Bair. The Falcons defense was dominant throughout the entire game, allowing only three shots and did not allow a shot until the fourth quarter. The Falcons outshot the Pride 20-3. Messiah had nine shots on goal to Widener's two. The Falcons earned 17 penalty corners and allowed just two. Catie Brubaker earned the win in goal and made two saves. Brubaker earned her third shutout of the season and the third straight shutout in games she has started.
 
Next
The Falcons return home to Anderson Field to face the Lions of Albright College on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m.