GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University Field Hockey team hosted No. 20 Stevenson University on Anderson Field for a battle between two strong conference opponents. The Falcons and Mustangs battled through the first half, with the Mustangs holding a 1-0 lead after a first quarter goal. Just over halfway through the third quarter, Olivia Zaskoda sent a pass to the front of the goal where Chelsea Carpenter was able to get a stick on it and level the score at 1-1. The score remained notched at 1-1 at the end of regulation and the game moved to overtime. A penalty corner for Messiah in the second minute resulted in a shot by Ellie Lefever that was blocked but Casey Tyrrell was able to collect the ricochet and slot the ball past the diving Mustangs' goalie to give Messiah the 2-1 victory.

The Falcons return to Anderson Field on Saturday, Oct. 18th at 1:00 p.m. when they host the Lions of Albright College.

First Half
After spending the first five minutes in a back-and-forth battle, Stevenson earned the first penalty corner of the game. The Mustangs were able to capitalize on the opportunity and found the back of the cage to take a 1-0 lead at the 6:00 mark. The back-and-forth action continued before Stevenson fired a shot wide. It was then the Falcons turn to take a penalty corner, but they were unable to find a shot. A penalty corner in the last minute for the Mustangs resulted in a shot but the Falcons' defense was able to block the shot.

Ellie Lefever fired an early shot in the first minute of the second half but missed just wide. A minute later Chelsea Carpenter was able to fire a shot on goal that was saved by the Stevenson goalie. The Falcons continued to control possession, earning a penalty corner with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half. The first corner did not result in a shot but was quickly followed by a second that allowed Ellie Lefever to fire a shot on goal, forcing a save by the Stevenson goalie. The Mustangs earned three penalty corners in a 40 second span and fired two shots, the first being saved by an extended kick from Joy Lippert. Messiah had one more scoring opportunity in the first half when a penalty corner resulted in a shot on goal from Casey Tyrrell that hit the post before being cleared by the Mustangs' defense.

Second Half
The second half started with a Mustangs' penalty corner in the first minute. A shot fired on goal was saved by Joy Lippert for Messiah to keep the deficit at 1-0. It was another 4:30 minutes of play before the Mustangs fired a shot wide. The teams traded possession before Olivia Zaskoda took space on the left and charged towards the goal. In a cluster of players at the front of the cage, Zaskoda found the stick of Chelsea Carpenter to level the score at 1-1 with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Falcons looked to take a lead two minutes later with a penalty corner opportunity. Lindsey Campione fired a shot, but had it blocked by a Mustangs' defender. With 3:30 remaining, Olivia Zaskoda looked to fire a shot to the bottom corner of the goal, but the Stevenson goalie made the save to keep the score 1-1.

The Falcons had the first offensive threat of the fourth quarter when they earned a penalty corner three minutes into play. Ellie Lefever fired a shot just wide, and the Falcons could not get a second stick on it. In the 50th minute, the Mustangs earned a penalty corner that resulted in a shot on goal that was saved by Joy Lippert before Casey Tyrrell made a defensive save on the second attempt shot. With six minutes remaining on the clock, Messiah started a man-up opportunity with a penalty corner. Messiah did not attempt a shot but earned a second penalty corner that saw Ellie Lefever fire a shot that was blocked. As the man-up opportunity wound down, a penalty corner looked to be an opportunity for the Falcons to take the lead, but the Mustangs' defense cleared the ball before a shot was fired. The score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation, sending the Falcons into overtime for the fourth time this season.

Overtime
The Falcons began overtime with the ball before the teams traded possession. As the Falcons advanced on goal, they earned a penalty corner just under two minutes into overtime. The shot by Ellie Lefever was blocked but Casey Tyrrell was able to recover the ball at the front corner of the cage and knock it in for the 2-1 overtime win.

Stats
Chelsea Carpenter and Casey Tyrrell led the Falcons with one goal each while Olivia Zaskoda tallied an assist. The Falcons outshot the Mustangs 11-9, placing six shots on goal. Messiah earned 10 penalty corners to Stevenson's seven. Joy Lippert made four saves in goal for the Falcons.

Up Next
The Falcons return to Anderson Field on Saturday, Oct. 18th at 1:00 p.m. when they host the Lions of Albright College.