GENEVA, N.Y. – The Messiah University field hockey team used three first-half goals to propel them past William Smith, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon. After a slow start to the game, Messiah got on the board with a Nicole Shank goal from Madi Johnson to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Falcons did not wait long into the second quarter to add onto their total with a Hailey Womer goal just a minute into the second quarter. In the 25th minute, William Smith got on the board with a goal from Alaura Enright to reduce the Falcons lead to one. Just three minutes later, The Falcons answered with another Nicole Shank goal to put the Falcons lead back to two. In the 38th minute, the Herons inched closer with a goal from Mackenzie Wodka. The Falcons dominated the fourth quarter with zero shots allowed to come away with their sixth win of the season.
 
Up next the Falcons return to Anderson Field to take on the tenth-ranked Profs of Rowan University on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Falcons opened the first quarter ready to get on the attack. After a couple of early scoring opportunities that were blocked by Heron defenders, Messiah looked for a great chance in the 11th minute after earning another penalty corner. Jenna Lutz sent the ball into play and Madi Johnson sent a pass over to Nicole Shank at the top of the circle. Shank ripped a shot that through the Heron defense and past the goalkeeper to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The Falcons held the Herons shotless until the 15th minute, and that lone shot was blocked by a Messiah defender.
 
Second Quarter
The Falcons did not waste any time in the second quarter extending their lead. In the 17th minute, Hailey Womer caused a turnover inside the circle. Womer then sent a shot right in front of the net that found the back of the net and extended the Falcons lead to 2-0. Just a minute later, the Herons looked to answer the second Falcons goal. Sofia Pattilo ripped a shot towards the net, but Catie Brubaker was there to make the save. The Herons continued the attack in the 24th minute with a penalty corner opportunity. The Herons put the ball into play, and Rebecca Mantione sent a shot that was saved by Catie Brubaker, though Mackenzie Wodka gathered the rebound and sent another shot towards the net. Brubaker again was there to make the save, but there was a third rebound opportunity. Alaura Enright was there for the third rebound and put the ball into the back of the goal to reduce the Falcon lead to one. The Falcons though quickly looked to answer in the 28th minute. Messiah earned another penalty corner and this time Leah Bryner sent the ball into play. The ball found Ellie Lefever and she sent a shot towards the goal, but the Herons goalkeeper made the save. Off of the rebound though, Nicole Shank followed the shot well and put the ball into the back of the goal for her second goal of the first half.
 
Third Quarter
The Herons though would not go away. In the 35th minute the Herons went back on the attack. Mackenzie Wodka looked to have an open look at the goal and sent a shot towards the goal, but Lillian Peters was there to make an impressive defense save to keep the two-goal lead. The Herons continued to search for another goal in the 38th minute. Mackenzie Wodka gathered the ball on the right-side of the circle and ripped a shot on the goal, but the ball deflected off a Falcons defender stick and into the back of the goal to reduce the Falcons lead to 3-2. In the 44th minute, the Falcons looked to add another goal before the fourth quarter on a penalty corner opportunity. Jenna Lutz sent the ball into play from the corner and the ball found Teagan Murrie. Murrie ripped a shot towards the goal, but the Herons goalkeeper made the save to keep it a one-goal game headed into the final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Falcons dominated the fourth quarter allowing zero shots and only one penalty corner to prevent a Herons comeback. The Falcons added two shots late that were both defensive saves from Kate Barilla to keep the final score at 3-2.
 
Stats
Nicole Shank led the Falcons offense with two goals. Hailey Womer added a goal for the Falcons. Madi Johnson tallied an assist on the first goal from Shank. It was Shank's second and third goals of the season and Womer's second goal. The Falcons outshot the Herons 17-9. Messiah had 10 shots on goal to William Smith's six. The Falcons earned 15 penalty corners and the Herons earned four. Catie Brubaker earned the win in goal and made three saves. Lillian Peters added in a defensive save.
 
Next
The Falcons return to Anderson Field to take on the tenth-ranked Profs of Rowan University on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 6:00 p.m.