GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University Field Hockey team defeated the Herons of William Smith College on Saturday afternoon. Messiah held the 1-0 lead at halftime after Teagan Murrie found Hailey Womer for a goal in the first quarter. Kelsey Heltzel found Ellie Lefever in the third quarter, bringing the lead to 2-0 before the Herons scored less than a minute later. Kelsey Heltzel was able to find the back of the cage with less than five minutes to play to bring the score to 3-1 in favor of the Falcons.

Up next, the Falcons travel to Glassboro, N.J. to take on Rowan University on Wednesday, October 2nd at 6:00 p.m.

First Quarter
Messiah looked to strike early when Hailey Womer fired a shot just over two minutes in but she missed just wide. A minute and a half later, it was Womer again looking to get the Falcons on the board, but the Herons goalie was able to make the save. Messiah earned two penalty corners in the fourth minute but had both shot attempts blocked to keep the score 0-0. With under three to play in the first quarter, Teagan Murrie sent a ball forward to Hailey Womer who was able to work around a defender and slide the ball past a second defender for the first Falcons goal of the game.

Second Quarter
With the 1-0 lead, the Falcons were looking to add another goal to the board but were unable to come up with any strong opportunities. The second quarter was played largely in the midfield, with neither team making many pushes towards goal. The Falcons took one shot and earned one penalty corner in the quarter but were unable to convert on either.

Third Quarter
Coming out of the half, Messiah maintained their 1-0 lead. The opening five minutes were played back-and-forth, with William Smith earning a penalty corner that they were unable to convert on. Carrie Bair looked to add a goal just over a minute later but narrowly missed the goal. Messiah took five penalty corners in a two-and-a-half-minute span. On the final corner, Kelsey Heltzel struck a ball towards the goal that Ellie Lefever was ready to knock in from the low post. The Falcons 2-0 lead did not last long when the Herons made a push towards the other end of the field less than a minute later and were able to slide their first shot of the game past Eva Hancock to cut the lead back to one. Chelsea Carpenter had an opportunity to regain the two-goal advantage but missed just wide.

Fourth Quarter
William Smith looked to tie the score early in the fourth quarter when they earned a penalty corner two minutes in. The Herons fired off a shot, but Eva Hancock was able to make the save in goal for the Falcons. Mallory Kline fired a shot off a minute later, but the Herons goalie was able to make the save. With four minutes to play, it looked as if Chelsea Carpenter would score for the Falcons but her shot ricocheted off the post. With just under five minutes to play, Messiah earned another penalty corner. Jenna Lutz found Kelsey Heltzel from the insert for the Falcons third goal of the game.

Stats
Hailey Womer, Ellie Lefever, and Kelsey Heltzel each had a goal for the Falcons. Jenna Lutz and Kelsey Heltzel each added an assist. Messiah outshot William Smith 13 to two, placing five shots on goal to the Herons two. Messiah earned 11 corners to William Smith's two.

Up Next
The Falcons travel to Glassboro, N.J. to take on Rowan University on Wednesday, October 2nd at 6:00 p.m.