Glassboro, N.J.- The No. 23 Messiah University field hockey team picked up a 2-1 win over Rowan University on Wednesday night. Leah Bryner picked up a first half goal for the Falcons and Aubrey Clark added the game winner in the fourth quarter off a pass from Carrie Bair. Rowan was quick to find a goal of their own after Clark's, but Messiah kept the pressure on both ends of the field to come away with victory.

Up next, the Falcons are back in action on Saturday, October 5th, when they host Montclair State for Homecoming and Senior Day. Action is set to begin at 1:00 p.m., with senior festivities to take place prior to the start of competition.

First Quarter
The first five minutes of the game were spent in the midfield before Messiah looked to begin an offensive attack. Leah Bryner took a shot from the center that was saved by the Profs goalie. A minute later, Falcons' goalie Eva Hancock made a save on a Profs shot. Rowan was awarded a penalty corner and took a shot that missed wide. After another five minutes of play in the midfield, Messiah pushed forward and earned a corner opportunity of their own. The ball was loose in front of the cage and Olivia Zaskoda took a shot, but the Rowan goalie made a diving save to keep the score 0-0. With under a minute remaining, the Profs picked up their second penalty corner. A pass was rocketed in and tipped near goal but missed wide to end the quarter 0-0.

Second Quarter
The start of the second corner appeared to mimic that of the first with midfield action to begin the quarter. This time it was Rowan picking up a penalty corner four and a half minutes in. A solid Messiah defense prevented them from firing off a shot. With 6:41 remaining in the corner, a Messiah cross was sent into the circle which resulted in a scramble for the ball in front of the cage. Leah Bryner was able to get a stick on the ball and tap it past the Rowan goalie to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. With just under five minutes to play, Rowan picked up another penalty corner and were able to fire off a shot that Eva Hancock was able to kick away. Jenna Lutz looked to increase the Falcon lead with under a minute to play but her shot was saved by the Rowan goalie. Messiah held the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Third Quarter
The first real offensive opportunity in the second half was a penalty corner for Rowan six and a half minutes into play but they were unable to convert the opportunity to a shot. They picked up an immediate second corner and this time fired off a shot that Eva Hancock was able to once again kick away to keep the Profs off the board. After three and a half minutes of midfield play, the Falcons earned their second penalty corner of the game. Teagan Murrie was able to fire off a shot that was blocked and the Falcons were then awarded a second corner. The Profs were able to intercept a pass off the corner and Messiah was unable to register a shot. The score remained 1-0 in favor of Messiah with one quarter of play remaining.

Fourth Quarter
The attacking action came alive for both teams in the final quarter of play. Eva Hancock picked up an early save two and a half minutes in. Rowan returned a second shot but missed wide. Just over a minute later, Carrie Bair found Aubrey Clark in front of the goal to bring the Messiah lead to 2-0. Just under two minutes later, Rowan capitalized on a restart right outside the circle when a ball sent towards the cage got caught up in a mix of Falcons and Profs. Rowan was able to get a stick on the ball and slide it past Eva Hancock to cut the Falcons lead back to one goal. Chelsea Carpenter fired a shot that the Profs' goalie was able to knock away with her pad. A foul in the circle led to a Falcons' corner and shot by Ellie Lefever that was once again saved by the Profs' goalie. Teagan Murrie fired a shot just a minute later that was blocked by a Rowan defender.  With just over two minutes to play, Eva Hancock made a save off a Rowan shot. With 51 seconds remaining in play, Rowan picked up a penalty corner, looking to bring the score to a tied 2-2. The Profs fired off a shot but Hancock came up with another big save, keeping the score at 2-1. After an explosive effort on both ends of the field, Messiah was able to maintain possession for the remaining time and secure the victory.

Stats
Leah Bryner and Aubrey Clark led the Falcons with one goal apiece. Carrie Bair picked up an assist. Rowan outshot Messiah 12 to nine and both teams placed seven shots on goal. Rowan took nine corners to Messiah's four. Eva Hancock made six saves in goal.

Up Next
The Falcons are back in action on Saturday, October 5th, when they host Montclair State for Homecoming and Senior Day. Action is set to begin at 1:00 p.m., with senior festivities to take place prior to the start of competition.