GRANTHAM, Pa. – The fifth-ranked Messiah University field hockey team celebrated senior day with a dominating effort on both ends of the field in a 2-0 win over No. 9 York (Pa.) on Saturday afternoon. After a defensive battle in the first quarter, Carrie Bair made a huge play to put the Falcons on the board in the 20th minute. Bair stole the ball from a York defender and beat the goalkeeper on a breakaway opportunity to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons added to their lead with 41 seconds remaining in the first half, with an Aubrey Clark goal that she swatted into the goal of a bounce after a save by the York goalkeeper. The Falcon's defense was dominant all game not allowing a single shot or penalty corner on the afternoon. Catie Brubaker earned the start in net for the Falcons.
 
Up next, the Falcons will host the 2023 MAC Commonwealth Semifinal game on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Falcons will face Albright College, Widener University, or Stevenson University, depending on the results of today's games.
 
First Quarter
The first quarter was dominated by strong defensive play from both teams. The Falcons got a penalty corner opportunity in the 10th minute to try to break the scoreless tie. Jenna Lutz sent the ball into Nicole Shank, but Shank drove her shot just wide right of the net. In the 14th minute, the Falcons looked for another chance to get on the board with a penalty corner opportunity. The ball found Kelsey Heltzel's stick, and she ripped a shot towards the net, but again the shot went wide of the net.
 
Second Quarter
The second quarter continued the defense battle to start. The Falcons looked to break the tie in the 20th minute. After a Messiah foul, the Spartans sent a pass back to the defense, near the 25-yard line. Carrie Bair pressured the ball and stole it from the York defender and headed to the net with a breakaway opportunity. Bair took a couple steps into the circle and sent a shot past the sliding York goalkeeper to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. Again, both defenses stepped up until the final minute of the half. After a Spartan foul, Teagan Murrie sent a pass just outside the circle to Mallory Kline. Kline dribbled the ball into the circle and sent a shot towards the goal. The York goalkeeper made the save, but off a bounce Aubrey Clark swatted the ball into an open net to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the half.
 
Third Quarter
The Falcons offense came out of the half strong with a penalty corner opportunity in the 33rd minute. Jenna Lutz sent the ball into play and after Nicole Shank's shot attempt was blocked the ball found Mallory Kline on the left-side of the circle. Kline ripped a shot that trickled just wide-right of the far post to keep the score at 2-0. The Falcons continued to play strong defense through three quarters and the offensive pressure kept York away from gaining any momentum on offense even though the Falcons did not add a goal.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons looked for another insurance goal in the 50th minute. Jenna Lutz gathered the ball around midfield and sent a pass around the 25-yard line to Ellie Lefever. Lefever dribbled the ball into the circle and passed the ball over to Lindsay McFeaters. McFeaters sent a blistering shot that rose to the York goalkeeper's chest, but the York goalkeeper made a nice blocker save to keep the score at 2-0. The Falcons would get one final chance to add to their lead in the 57th minute, but Teagan Murrie's shot was saved to put the final score at 2-0.
 
Stats
Carrie Bair and Aubrey Clark scored the goals for the Falcons. It was the eighth goal of the season for Bair and the ninth for Clark. The Falcons outshot the Spartans 16-0. The Falcons totaled five shots on net. The Falcons earned 10 penalty corners and did not allow any to York. Catie Brubaker earned the win in goal for the Falcons. It was the eighth shutout win of the season for the Falcons.
 
Next
The Falcons will host the 2023 MAC Commonwealth Semifinal game on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Falcons will face Albright College, Widener University, or Stevenson University, depending on the results of today's games.