GRANTHAM, Pa. - In a tightly contested MAC Commonwealth Championship on Anderson Field, Messiah Field Hockey dropped the contest in overtime to the York College Spartans with a final score of 1-0. For most of the game, play was back-and-forth between the Falcons and the Spartans. Messiah looked to have a slight advantage in the first half, putting on pressure, and York had their time with five shots on goal in the fourth quarter, forcing Messiah goalie Joy Lippert make some key saves late in play. York Senior Riley Buschert scored the game winning goal in overtime for the Spartans.

Up next, the Falcons will be hopeful to hear their name called as an at large bid in the NCAA Division III selection show that will take place on Sunday, November 10 at 9:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.

First Quarter
In a battle of the top two teams in the conference, play began evenly matched as expected. Mallory Kline was the first to fire a shot at the 1:43 mark, but her shot was blocked by a defender. Messiah picked up their first penalty corner of the game at the 3:08 mark but Teagan Murrie's shot was also blocked. It was seven and a half minutes later when Messiah earned back-to-back penalty corners. Mallory Kline fired shots on both plays, but the York goalie made saves for both. York fired their first shot at the 11:09 mark and Joy Lippert made the save to keep the score 0-0.

Second Quarter
The back-and-forth action continued in the second play with neither team being able to make much of an offensive push. Messiah picked up a penalty corner six and a half minutes into the quarter, but a strong York defense prevented them from getting a shot off. Neither team was able to take a shot in the quarter and the score remained 0-0 going into halftime.

Third Quarter
Coming out of halftime, Messiah looked to continue their attack on offense and put one in the goal. The Falcons earned their first penalty corner 1:41 into the half. Teagan Murrie fired a shot on goal, but it was saved once again by the Spartans' goalie. Carrie Bair fired off a shot 30 seconds later but missed just wide. Carrie Bair took the next two shots, placing both on goal, that resulted in two saves for the York goalie. York had their first offensive opportunity of the half at the 41:06 when they earned a penalty corner. They were able to fire off a shot, but Joy Lippert came up with the save and play entered the fourth quarter tied at 0-0.

Fourth Quarter
Messiah was again first to have an offensive opportunity when they earned a penalty corner nearly four minutes into play. The York defense was able to keep the Falcons from firing a shot. With 10 minutes left to play, York began an offensive burst, earning three penalty corners and taking four shots on goals in 30 seconds. Joy Lippert stopped three of the shots while Rebekah Wiley earned a defensive save to account for the fourth. Momentum swung for a moment when Messiah earned two penalty corners. Teagan Murrie and Hailey Womer both fired shots that were blocked by defenders. In the final four minutes of play, the Spartans picked up three penalty corners that resulted in a wide shot, a save by Joy Lippert and a shot the ricocheted off the post. The score remained 0-0 and golden goal overtime was set.

Overtime
The Falcons began overtime with the ball and worked their way up field. Leah Bryner fired a shot on goal that was saved by the Spartans' goalie. The momentum shifted and York found themselves with a shot on goal of their own, but Joy Lippert came up with the save. It was roughly three minutes later, 5:36 into overtime, when York senior Riley Buschert found the back of the cage to give York the 1-0 victory and claim the 2024 MAC Commonwealth Championship.

Stats
Each team took nine shots with York placing nine on goal to Messiah's six. Messiah earned eight penalty corners to York's eight. Joy Lippert had eight saves in goal for the Falcons.

Up Next
The Falcons will be hopeful to hear their name called as an at large bid in the NCAA Division III selection show that will take place on Sunday, November 10 at 9:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.