TRENTON, N.J. – The Messiah field hockey team picked up the victory against No. 14 The College of New Jersey on Saturday afternoon with a final score of 3-1. Kelsey Heltzel picked up two goals on the day and Mallory Kline added one of her own. The first quarter ended 0-0 before Heltzel and Kline each picked up a goal. Aubrey Clark assisted on both first half goals. The Lions scored in the third quarter, bringing the score to 2-1 Falcons. Kelsey Heltzel added a goal in the fourth off a penalty stroke, to restore Messiah's two goal advantage.

Messiah is back in action on Wednesday, September 25th when they take on Swarthmore College at 7:00 p.m. on Anderson Field.

First Quarter
The Lions were the first to take a shot two minutes into the game but missed wide. Messiah's first offensive opportunity came in the fourth minute when they were awarded a penalty corner. Kelsey Heltzel fired a shot that was saved by the Lions goalie and a foul in the circle resulted in a second penalty corner for the Falcons. Aubrey Clark fired off a shot that was once again saved by the Lions goalie. Mallory Kline shot the ricocheted ball back towards goal but the Lions were able to pick up a defensive save. TCNJ picked up back-to-back penalty corners in the final minute, resulting in one shot on goal. Eva Hancock was able to pick up the save in goal for the Falcons.

Second Quarter
Messiah had the first opportunity of the second quarter when they picked up a penalty corner one minute in but were unable to convert to a shot opportunity. TCNJ looked to put the first goal of the game on the board when they had the next penalty corner opportunity, but Eva Hancock was able to make her second save of the game. Messiah looked to convert on a penalty corner of their own in the 27th minute. Aubrey Clark fired a shot, but the Lions picked up a defensive save. Messiah was awarded a second penalty corner and Clark was able to find Kelsey Heltzel at the top of the circle where she fired a shot in the low right corner for the Falcons first goal of the game. Two minutes later, Clark took the ball to the post and slotted a pass to Mallory Kline in the center who was able to fire a shot to pick up the Falcons second goal of the quarter and bring the score to 2-0 heading into halftime.

Third Quarter
Coming out of the half, the Lions were looking to put a goal of their own on the board. They had an opportunity in the seventh minute when they had a penalty corner, but the Falcons were able to block the shot. A little over two minutes later, the Falcons blocked another Lions shot. TCNJ fired another shot that was blocked before earning another corner with three minutes left on the clock. The Lions fired off a shot, but Eva Hancock was able to make the save. The Lions were able to tip a shot in off the deflection from Hancock to score their first goal of the game, bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of Messiah. The Falcons picked up back-to-back corners with a minute and a half remaining in the quarter.  Carrie Bair fired a shot that was blocked. Aubrey Clark looked to send the deflection into the goal but missed just wide.

Fourth Quarter
The start of the fourth quarter was slow for both teams, with possession trading off in the midfield for nearly five minutes. Messiah was awarded a penalty stroke with just over 10 minutes to play. Kelsey Heltzel stepped up for the Falcons and converted the penalty stroke for her second goal of the game, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of the Falcons. TCNJ continued their offensive attack, looking to cut the deficit to one. Two penalty corner opportunities resulted in a shot, but Eva Hancock was able to make the save. The Lions were awarded another penalty corner but were unable to convert it for a shot. Each team added one shot in the final five minutes of play but both attempts were wide.

Stats
Kelsey Heltzel led the Falcons with two goals while Mallory Kline added one. Aubrey Clark added two assists on the day. Messiah outshot TCNJ 11 to nine, placing seven on frame to the Lions five. TCNJ had eight penalty corners to Messiah's seven.

Up Next
Messiah is back in action on Wednesday, September 25th when they take on Swarthmore College at 7:00 p.m. on Anderson Field.