GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah Women's Lacrosse team picked up a 17-6 win over Juniata College on Saturday, Feb. 22 on the Lacrosse Turf at the Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium. Hayley Lettinga and Jordan Lewicki each had four goals while Katie Bukiewicz added three. Seven Falcons scored in the contest.

The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, March 1st, when they host the University of Mary Washington at 4:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Falcons were quick to strike when Katie Bukiewicz scored an unassisted goal just 35 seconds into play. A minute and a half later, Annalise Keitel scored on a free position shot to extend the Falcons lead to 2-0. The Falcons struck again a minute later when Dani Sauder connected with Jordan Lewicki for the 3-0 lead. Much of the next seven minutes was played in the midfield with Grace Hejeebu picking up two saves in goal for the Falcons and Hayley Lettinga missing high on a free position shot. After Hejeebu's second save, she picked up a ground ball and at the other end of the field, Annalise Keitel connected with Hayley Lettinga for the Falcons fourth goal of the quarter.

Hannah Gawne fired a free position shot on goal that was saved by the Eagles' goalie before Jordan Lewicki recovered the ground ball and gave Messiah the possession back. Messiah had back-to-back free position attempts that resulted in shots for Leah Gaito and Katie Bukiewicz but no goals. As the clock was nearing two minutes remaining in the period. Dani Sauder secured a groundball that was followed by a shot for Jordan Lewicki that was saved by the Eagles' goalie. Lewicki scooped up the ground ball before Dani Sauder found the back of the net, giving Messiah a 5-0 lead at the end of one quarter.

Second Quarter
The second quarter started a bit slower than the first before back-to-back free position attempts for the Falcons. On the second free position attempt, Hayley Lettinga was able to notch the free position goal to give the Falcons a 6-0 lead with 12:18 remaining in the half. Two minutes later, it was Annalise Keitel connecting with Katie Bukiewicz to extend the lead to 7-0. Annalise Keitel then found teammate Jordan Lewicki for the Falcons eighth goal of the half with 8:34 remaining. Lettinga and Lewicki each had shots saved before a slight shift in momentum as the Eagles scored a goal with 4:01 remaining in the half. The Falcons were quick to put an end to their momentum as Dani Sauder connected with Jordan Lewicki and Hayley Lettinga converted on a free position shot to extend the Falcons lead to 10-1 going into halftime.

Third Quarter
Juniata was first to strike in the second half with goals at 13:16 and 12:45 remaining. Play remained in the midfield before Juniata struck again with a goal at 8:08, bringing the score to 10-4 in favor of the Falcons. Emma Hagg won the draw control as the Falcons looked to regain their first half momentum. In a man-up opportunity, Annalise Keitel found Katie Bukiewicz for the Falcons' 11th goal of the game. Thirty seconds later, Keitel found Alina Bernal-Clark to extend the lead to 12-4. Hannah Gawne fired a shot in the next possession that hit the post and was recovered by the Eagles. Brynn Johnsen made a play to cause a turnover, recovered the ground ball and fired a shot but the Juniata goalie was able to make the save. Leah Gaito secured the ground ball for the Falcons before Hannah Gawne found Jordan Lewicki for the goal. Juniata put one more in the back of the goal, giving Messiah a 13-5 advantage with one quarter remaining.

Fourth Quarter
Messiah earned a free position attempt less than a minute into play in the final quarter and Hannah Gawne was able to convert the opportunity into a free position goal. Gawne then secured the draw control and a foul by the Eagles led to another early free position attempt. Hannah Gawne found Annalise Keitel to extend the Messiah lead to 15-5 with 13:43 left on the clock. The Falcons struck again on their next free position attempt when Jordan Lewicki found Hayley Lettinga for the goal. With 8:25 remaining, a free position attempt led to a shot from Lewicki that was saved. Lewicki picked up the ground ball and resumed play for the Falcons. Hayley Lettinga connected with Alina Bernal-Clark to give the Falcons a 17-5 lead. With 2:22 remaining, the Eagles fired a shot, but Olivia Hewitt was able to make the save in goal for the Falcons. Despite the save, Juniata recovered the ground ball and was able to find the back of the net on the second attempt shot, bringing the score to 17-6 as the clock wound down.

Game Stats
Hayley Lettinga and Jordan Lewicki led the Falcons with four goals each, and each adding one assist. Katie Bukiewicz added three goals. Annalise Keitel led the Falcons with points behind five assists and two goals. Grace Hejeebu and Olivia Hewitt split time in goal with Hejeebu picking up two saves and Hewitt earning one.

Up Next
The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, March 1st, when they host the University of Mary Washington at 4:00 p.m.