FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Messiah field hockey team traveled to Mary Washington for a neutral site battle against No. 7 Christopher Newport. The Captains of Christopher Newport picked up a 1-0 lead in the first quarter and added a second goal with less than 10 minutes to play in the game. Teagan Murrie was able to convert on a penalty stroke in the final minute of play, but the Falcons were unable to find an equalizer.

Messiah will travel to Collegeville, Pa on Wednesday, September 18th, to face the Ursinus College Bears at 7:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Captains were first to face a scoring opportunity when they were awarded with a penalty corner just before the six minute mark. Christopher Newport was able to fire off a shot but a defensive save by Casey Tyrrell kept the ball from finding the back of the cage. A second corner resulted in another shot for the Captains, but Eva Hancock was able to make the save. Messiah picked up their first of 11 corners they would have in the game. Aubrey Clark rattled off a shot that missed just wide. After a wide shot by Christopher Newport, Audrey Weger looked to get the scoring going, but also missed wide. With 30 seconds remaining in the quarter, a Christopher Newport forward took a slide shot from the top of the circle that snuck past Hancock and gave the Captains the 1-0 lead to close out the first quarter.

Second Quarter
The Falcons came out ready to attack in the second quarter. Back-to-back corners in the first minute of play lead to two shots by Teagan Murrie. The Christopher Newport goalie was able to stop the first shot and the second missed just wide. Two minutes later the Captains looked to increase their lead with a hard struck shot but Eva Hancock was able to make the save. Messiah took back to back corners but were unable to convert on either before Eva Hancock was forced to make another save on a Captains shot. The Captains fired off one more shot on goal that lead to another Hancock save before the end of the first half.

Third Quarter
Coming out of the half, Messiah was still looking for the equalizer and Christopher Newport was looking to extend their lead. An early shot was saved by Eva Hancock and a second shot missed wide. With just over seven minutes to play in the quarter, Kelsey Heltzel took a shot off a Falcon corner that was saved by the Captains goalie. Teagan Murrie fired a shot off the rebound but missed just wide of the cage. Neither team fired a shot in the remaining seven minutes of play.

Fourth Quarter
It was nearly five minutes into the final quarter before a team took a shot. It was the Falcons to attack first when Aubrey Clark fired a shot that was saved by a Christopher Newport defender. The Captains took a shot with just under seven to play that hit the post and resulted in a corner. Eva Hancock was able to stop the initial shot off the corner, but the rebounded shot snuck past her to increase the Captains lead to 2-0 with 6:36 to play. Messiah continued to fire shots with Hailey Womer registering a blocked shot, Leah Bryner missing a shot wide, and Aubrey Clark having a shot saved by the Captains goalie. With 1:04 to play, the Falcons earned a corner but were unable to convert a shot off. The Falcons earned a penalty stroke on the play and Teagan Murrie converted to put the Falcons on the board. The late goal was not enough, and the Falcons walked away with a 2-1 loss.

Stats
Teagan Murrie led the Falcons with one goal. She registered four shots total, placing two on goal. Aubrey Clark had three shots, also with two on goal. Eva Hancock had six saves on the day. Christopher Newport outshot Messiah 13-11, placing nine on frame to Messiah's five. Messiah took 11 penalty corners to Christopher Newport's 4.

Up Next
Messiah will travel to Collegeville, Pa on Wednesday, September 18th, to face the Ursinus College Bears at 7:00 p.m.