GRANTHAM, Pa. - The No. 25 Falcons earned a 16-9 win over the St. Mary's College of Maryland Seahawks on Saturday afternoon to move to 6-3 on the season. St. Mary's held a 4-2 advantage after the first quarter and held a slight 7-6 lead at halftime. With 15 minutes remaining in the game, the Falcons held a 10-8 lead and outscored the Seahawks 6-1 in the final quarter to earn the 16-9 win. Hayley Lettinga and Jordan Lewicki each had four goals for the Falcons while Grace Pettitt added three goals and four assists. Grace Hejeebu had nine saves in goal in the win.

The Falcons return to action on Saturday, March 29, when they travel to Stevenson University to open Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth play against the Mustangs. The game will begin at 1:00 p.m.

First Quarter
The Seahawks earned the opening draw control and were quick to strike with a goal just 44 seconds into the game. Katie Bukiewicz earned the draw control for the Falcons and fired a shot on goal, but it was saved by the St. Mary's goalie. After a foul on the Seahawks, Grace Pettitt found Jordan Lewicki for the Falcons first goal, bringing the score to 1-1. Possession changed four times over the next five minutes as each team fired a pair of shots. Grace Hejeebu made a pair of saves as Alina Bernal-Clark had a shot saved by the Seahawks' goalie and Annalise Keitel missed just wide. The Seahawks earned a man-up free position attempt and were able to capitalize to take the lead 2-1. St. Mary's missed two shots before Grace Pettitt fired a shot just wide. The Falcons maintained possession and just as a few minutes earlier, Pettitt found Jordan Lewicki for a goal, tying the score 2-2. In another man-up opportunity, the Seahawks were able to find the back of the net, regaining the lead at 3-2. Hayley Lettinga fired two strong shots on goal looking for the equalizer, but the St. Mary's goalie was able to save both shots. With 19 seconds remaining in the quarter, the Seahawks were able to score one more goal to take the 4-2 lead heading into the quarter.

Second Quarter
Hannah Gawne earned the opening draw control for the Falcons and carried the ball to goal on her own and fired a shot that was saved by the Seahawks' goalie. Alina Bernal-Clark recovered the ground ball, and the Falcons were able to score with Hayley Lettinga finding the back of the net. The Seahawks were quick to answer with a goal on the next possession to bring the score to 5-3. Three minutes later they extended their lead to 6-3. Emma Hagg secured the draw control and Annalise Keitel scored for Messiah to cut the lead back to two. Once again, the Seahawks were quick to respond and took the 7-4 lead with 9:31 remaining in the first half. Gawne had a shot saved before the Seahawks missed high and Grace Hejeebu made a save in goal for the Falcons. The Falcons took advantage of the save and Grace Pettitt scored on the possession. Katie Bukiewicz looked to cut the deficit further with a shot on goal but the St. Mary's goalie made the save. Grace Pettit then found the back of the net to bring the score to 7-6 with just under five minutes to play. Hannah Gawne and Grace Pettitt each fired a shot on goal looking to tie the score heading into halftime but the Seahawks' goalie made the save on both shots.

Third Quarter
Neither team found the back of the net in the first eight minutes of the second half but it was not for lack of attempts. Hayley Lettinga fired a pair of shots on goal in the opening minutes but had both saved. After Emma Hagg secured a ground ball, Lettinga again fired a shot on goal that was saved. Grace Pettitt secured the ground ball and Hannah Gawne fired a shot on goal that was again saved. The Seahawks fired their first shot of the second half with just under eight minutes to play in the quarter but missed wide. Grace Hejeebu secured the ground ball and as the Falcons worked their way down field, Grace Pettitt found Jordan Lewicki for the third time in the afternoon, bringing the score even at 7-7. Hejeebu made a save on the next St. Mary's shot before Katie Bukiewicz found the back of the goal to give the Falcons an 8-7 lead. Less than a minute later, Addyson Wagman secured a ground ball and Pettitt found Alina Bernal-Clark to extend the Messiah lead to 9-7 and forcing a St. Mary's timeout. With a minute and a half remaining in the quarter, Messiah earned a free position attempt that resulted in a free position goal for Hayley Lettinga. The Seahawks were able to score on their next possession, taking the score to 10-8 in favor of the Falcons with one quarter remaining.

Fourth Quarter
After the Seahawks earned the opening draw control, Emma Hagg caused a turnover, and Katie Bukiewicz secured the ground ball to give Messiah possession. Bukiewicz then found the back of the goal of her own to give Messiah the 11-8 lead. Just eight seconds later, Hannah Gawne found Jordan Lewicki after earning the draw control and the Falcons took a 12-8 lead. The Seahawks were next to fire a shot, but Grace Hejeebu was able to make the save. Alina Bernal-Clark answered with a shot at the other end of the field, but the St. Mary's goalie was able to make the save. The Falcons then earned a free position attempt, and Hayley Lettinga was able to convert for the free position goal. The Seahawks missed a shot wide before forcing Hejeebu to make the save on a second attempt. Messiah cleared the ball successfully and Lettinga netted a goal to bring the lead to 14-8 with just under seven minutes to play. Hannah Gawne fired a shot of the post before the Seahawks again fired a shot on goal that was saved by Hejeebu. Naomi Doll secured the ground ball and Grace Pettitt netted a goal for the Falcons. A shot by Annalise Keitel was saved before Brynn Johnsen picked up the ground ball and scored, bringing the score to 16-8 with two minutes remaining. The Seahawks earned a free position attempt and notched the final goal of the goal, with Messiah earning the 16-9 victory.

Stats
Grace Pettitt led the Falcons with seven points on three goals and four assists. Hayley Lettinga and Jordan Lewicki each had four goals for the Falcons. Emma Hagg led in draw controls with five, caused turnovers with four, and ground balls with five. Grace Hejeebu made nine saves in goal.

Up Next
The Falcons return to action on Saturday, March 29, when they travel to Stevenson University to open Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth play against the Mustangs. The game will begin at 1:00 p.m.