LANCASTER, Pa. – On Wednesday night, the Messiah field hockey team defeated the No. 19 Franklin & Marshall Diplomats, 1-0. The Falcons lone goal was scored by Aubrey Clark from Kelsey Heltzel in the third minute of the game. The Falcons defense took over the rest of the game, allowing only seven shots with four shots on goal. In her first career start, Eva Hancock earned a shutout and recorded four saves.
 
The Falcons will now turn their attention to the No. 4 Salisbury University Sea Gulls who they will host on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1:00 p.m. for the 2023 home opener at Anderson Field.
 
First Half
In the second minute, the Falcons defense was tested early. After a fast break, the Diplomats sent a pass into the circle and Sophie Carroll sent a one-timer towards the net, but Eva Hancock made an impressive save to keep the game scoreless. The Falcons offense responded quickly to the Diplomats chance. Just a minute later, Kelsey Heltzel smacked the ball from the right corner into the circle. Aubrey Clark gathered the pass and sent the ball into the bottom-right corner to open the scoring for the Falcons. Both defenses tightened up play in the second quarter, but the Falcons were able to get a couple of chances on net. In the 28th and 29th minute, Kelsey Heltzel and Madi Johnson drove shots on cage, but both were turned away by the Diplomats goalkeeper.
 
Second Half
The third quarter opened with the Diplomats on the rush on offense. Carolina Riley sent a long shot just inside the circle, that made its way through traffic, but Eva Hancock again made an impressive kick-save to keep the Falcons lead. The Diplomats heavy attack continued, but Hancock continued her great night with two more saves in the final five minutes of the third quarter to preserve the 1-0 lead heading into the final quarter.

After a slow third quarter, the Messiah offense picked it up in the fourth looking for another goal to add to their lead. Just a minute into the fourth quarter, off a penalty corner, Ellie Lefever sent a shot that deflected high towards the net, but a save from the F&M goalkeeper kept the Diplomats within one. In the final five minutes of the game, Aubrey Clark, and Lefever both had chances to add to the lead, but again the Diplomats goalkeeper continued to shut down the Falcons chances. Though the Falcons did not add another goal, the Messiah defense stood tall in the fourth quarter and did not allow a single shot to preserve a shutout.
 
Stats
Aubrey Clark scored the lone goal for the Falcons and is her second goal of the season. Kelsey Heltzel tallied an assist on the Clark goal. In her first career start, Eva Hancock earned a shutout and made four saves. The Falcons outshot the Diplomates 12-7 with six shots on goal. The Falcons earned five penalty corners and the Diplomats earned three.

What's Up Next
The Falcons host the No. 4 Salisbury University Sea Gulls on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1:00 p.m. for the 2023 home opener at Anderson Field.