OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Messiah Women's Lacrosse team defeated Stevenson University by a score of 17-10 on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons held a 9-6 lead at half time and added eight more goals in the second to secure the win. Grace Pettitt led the Falcons with three goals and three assists while Hannah Gawne added three goals. Four Falcons scored two goals while three added one each. Grace Hejeebu made 12 saves in goal for the Falcons.

The Falcons return to the Lacrosse Turf at the Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium on Wednesday, April 2, when they host the Pride of Widener University for a 7:00 p.m. game.

First Quarter
The Mustangs were quick to score just nine seconds into the game before the Falcons responded with a goal from Hannah Gawne after she won the draw control. Stevenson won the next draw control and scored their second goal of the quarter to take a 2-1 lead less than two minutes into the game. Play slowed down a bit from then on as the teams began working plays through their possessions. After a Stevenson shot that was saved by Grace Hejeebu, Stevenson failed the clear and Alina Bernal-Clark secured the ground ball. After a give-and-go, Grace Pettitt found Bernal-Clark for a goal to tie the score 2-2 with eight and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Mustangs looked to take back the lead a minute later but Hejeebu again made the save in goal. Grace Pettit was able to find the back of the goal on her own to give Messiah the 3-2 lead. Just over a minute later Katie Bukiewicz recovered a ground ball off Jordan Lewicki's shot and found the back of the cage to extend the Messiah lead to 4-2. With another minute passing, Bernal-Clark fired a shot that was saved that was followed by a shot from Annalise Keitel that was also saved. Grace Pettitt recovered the ball and netted another goal, bringing the score to 5-2 in favor of Messiah with just over four minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Stevenson called a timeout to talk it over and neither team was able to find the back of the net in the remaining four minutes. Grace Hejeebu picked up four saves in the final four minutes.

Second Quarter
The Mustangs were first to score again 10 seconds into the second quarter to cut the deficit to 5-3. The Mustangs tied the score 5-5 with 11:37 left on the clock in the second quarter. Over the next three minutes, Hayley Lettinga fired the lone shot on either side of the field and her attempt was saved by the Mustangs goalie. After Grace Hejeebu picked up a ground ball and began the clear for Messiah, Brynn Johnsen found the back of the net to regain the Falcon lead 6-5. The lead was short lived as the Mustangs won the draw control and scored 18 seconds later to make it 6-6. Grace Pettitt and Annalise Keitel each fired shots before Pettitt found Hayley Lettinga for a goal to take it back 7-6. Hejeebu picked up two saves before the Falcons earned a free position attempt. Hannah Gawne missed the free position shot just high, but the Falcons recovered the ball, and Grace Pettitt notched a goal to bring the score to 8-6. Annalise Keitel fired a shot on goal with just under two minutes remaining in the half and found the back of the net to give Messiah a 9-6 lead heading into the break.

Third Quarter
The Falcons earned an early free position attempt in the third quarter and Hannah Gawne scored the free position goal. Two minutes later, Katie Bukiewicz scored her second goal of the game as Messiah took an 11-6 lead. A free position shot for the Mustangs was saved by Grace Hejeebu. Riley Lewicki picked up the ground ball and Hayley Lettinga fired a shot on goal, but it was saved by the Mustangs goalie. The Mustangs notched a goal with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. Messiah fired two shots in the next six minutes with Dani Sauder having a shot saved and Grace Pettitt having a shot blocked before Hayley Lettinga found the back of the net with 2:13 remaining to make it 12-7 in favor of the Falcons. The Mustangs answered with a goal a minute later to make the score 11-7 heading into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter
Hannah Gawne won the opening the draw control and Annalise Keitel found Alina Bernal-Clark for the Falcons 13th goal of the game 35 seconds into the final quarter of play. The Mustangs struck four minutes later with a goal before firing a pair of shots, one high and one saved by Grace Hejeebu. Pettitt then found Jordan Lewicki to bring the score to 14-9. Stevenson scored a free position shot with six minutes remaining to bring the deficit back to four at 14-10. Hannah Gawne won the draw control and fired a shot on frame, but the Mustangs goalie made the save. After a Mustangs turnover, Annalise Keitel found the back of the net for the Falcons. Jordan Lewicki won the draw control and Brynn Johnsen found Dani Sauder to give the Falcons a 16-10 lead with 3:20 left to play. The Mustangs fired the next shot, but Hejeebu was able to make the save. Pettitt and Bernal-Clark each fired a shot on goal that the Mustangs goalie was able to save before the Falcons earned a free position attempt with 11 seconds remaining. Pettitt missed the free position shot wide but Annalise Keitel was able to find Hannah Gawne for a last second goal to give Messiah the 17-10 win.

Stats
Grace Pettitt led the Falcons with three goals and three assists while Hannah Gawne added three goals. Four Falcons scored two goals while three added one each. Grace Hejeebu made 12 saves in goal for the Falcons.

Up Next
The Falcons return to the Lacrosse Turf at the Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium on Wednesday, April 2, when they host the Pride of Widener University for a 7:00 p.m. game.