GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah field hockey team earned the 4-0 victory over the Swarthmore Garnet after an explosive first quarter offense. The Falcons tallied three goals in the first quarter and tacked on a fourth in the final quarter of play. Leah Bryner, Hailey Womer and Carrie Bair all had goals in the first quarter. Kelsey Heltzel added a goal of her own in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 4-0 in favor of the Falcons. Heltzel added two assists in the game and Mallory Kline had one.

Messiah is next in action on Saturday, September 28th, when they host William Smith College at 12:00 PM on Anderson Field.

First Quarter
Messiah started their offensive push early in the start of the game, controlling the play in their offensive end. Carrie Bair started the attack with a shot four minutes into the game that was blocked by a Garnet defender. The Falcons earned their first corner of the game 11:39 mark. Leah Bryner inserted the ball to Kelsey Heltzel at the top of the circle. Heltzel struck in a hard ball that found Bryner near the post for Bryner's first goal of the season and the Falcons first tally of the game. Two minutes later the Falcons earned another penalty corner but were unable to convert it for a shot. Just over the halfway point of the quarter, the Falcons picked up their third penalty corner of the game. Mallory Kline found Hailey Womer for the shot, scoring the Falcons' second goal of the quarter, and Womer's third of the season. With just under six minutes to play, Kelsey Heltzel sent a pass across the circle to Carrie Bair who was able to slide the ball into the cage for her first goal of the season, bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of the Falcons. Audrey Weger fired a shot of her own late in the quarter, but it was blocked by a defender.

Second Quarter
The first five minutes of the second quarter saw a lot of back-and-forth between the teams but no real push from either towards the goal. The Falcons picked up a penalty corner opportunity about five minutes into the quarter but did not convert it to a shot. About four minutes later, Messiah picked up back-to-back penalty corners, with the second one providing a shot opportunity for Mallory Kline who missed just wide. Messiah had one more corner and two shot opportunities, but were unable to convert either, heading into halftime up 3-0.

Third Quarter
Swarthmore had their first offensive opportunity nearly seven minutes into the third quarter, when they earned a penalty corner. The Garnet were able to fire off a shot, but it was blocked by a Messiah defender. The Garnet picked up a second penalty corner a minute and a half later, also resulting in a blocked shot. Both teams had man-up opportunities, as there were three cards in the quarter, but neither team was able to take advantage and add a goal to the board.

Fourth Quarter
The offense was once again slow from both teams to start the final quarter. Messiah earned a penalty corner six and a half minutes in. Anna Koenig received the insert and was able to find Kelsey Heltzel for Messiah's fourth goal of the night. Swarthmore was able to fire off one more shot, looking to find a goal with just over five minutes to play. Joy Lippert was able to make the save in goal and keep the score 4-0.

Stats
Leah Bryner, Hailey Womer, Carrie Bair, and Kelsey Heltzel each had a goal for the Falcons. Heltzel and Anna Koenig each picked up an assist. The Falcons outshot the Garnet nine to four, placing four on frame to Swarthmore's one. Messiah held an eight to five advantage in corners. Joy Lippert had one save in goal for the Falcons.

Up Next
Messiah is next in action on Saturday, September 28th, when they host William Smith College at 12:00 PM on Anderson Field.