GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University Field Hockey team hosted No. 24 York College in a MAC Commonwealth battle. York took a 1-0 lead just before halftime. Chelsea Carpenter was able to level the score at 1-1 with a powerful strike in the third quarter. In the final eight minutes of play, York tallied a second goal to regain the lead. Just 15 seconds later, it appeared the Falcons leveled the score, but a challenge by the Spartans was successful and they maintained the 2-1 lead. Messiah again found the back of the cage but were called for a foul and the Falcons' challenge was unsuccessful as York earned the 2-1 victory.

The Falcons conclude the regular season on Saturday, November 1, when they travel to Widener University for a 1:00 p.m. game against the Pride.

First Half
As the first quarter played on, possession was traded back-and-forth between the teams before Lexi Hanlin fired a shot on goal that was saved by the York goalie. The Falcons earned their first penalty corner 8:16 in. Audrey Weger fired a shot on goal that was saved by the York goalie before a second chance shot from Mattie Hartzler was also saved. A second penalty corner resulted in a shot on frame by Hanlin that was again saved by the York goalie. Three minutes later, Chelsea Carpenter missed a shot just wide. At the other end of the field, the Spartans fired a shot on goal that was saved by Joy Lippert in goal for the Falcons before a second shot earned Rebekah Wiley a defensive save as she stepped behind Lippert following the initial save, keeping the game scoreless through the first quarter.

Aubrey Clark fired the first shot of the second quarter, with it being saved by the York goalie. It was over six minutes later before the Falcons earned a penalty corner but were unable to fire a shot. Caitlyn Weatherill missed a shot just wide before the Spartans took possession. York earned a penalty corner with just over 30 seconds remaining in the half and found the back of the goal to take a 1-0 lead before halftime.

Second Half
Naomi Lyter and Chelsea Carpenter each fired a shot on goal to start the third quarter that were saved by the York goalie. Eight minutes of back-and-forth possession was followed by an unassisted goal for Chelsea Carpenter to tie the score 1-1. Both teams were unable to register a shot as play moved into the final 15 minutes of regulation.

Messiah registered three shots in the first five minutes with Anna Bea Koenig having a shot blocked before Audrey Weger's shot was saved by the York goalie. York took back the lead with a goal at the 52-minute mark. Weger fired a shot just nine seconds later that was saved by the goalie before Aubrey Clark fired a turnaround shot that found the back of the cage. York utilized a challenge and the call on the field was overturned due to the ball hitting a Falcon foot, as York maintained their 2-1 lead. A penalty corner for the Falcons resulted in a shot from Ellie Lefever being blocked before she tipped the ball to Naomi Lyter who fired the ball into the back of the cage. A foul on Messiah was called, nullifying the goal. Messiah used their second challenge of the night, but the call on the field stood. With just under a minute to play, Lefever again looked to notch the equalizer, but the York goalie was able to make the save and earn York the 2-1 win.

Stats
Chelsea Carpenter led the Falcons with one goal. Joy Lippert tallied two saves while Rebekah Wiley picked up a key defensive save early in the game. Messiah outshot York 17-4, with the Falcons placing 11 on goal while York was 4/4 with shots on goal. Messiah earned five penalty corners to York's two.

Up Next
The Falcons conclude the regular season on Saturday, November 1, when they travel to Widener University for a 1:00 p.m. game against the Pride.