LANCASTER, Pa. – The No. 23 Messiah Women's Lacrosse team picked up a loss at No. 3 Franklin & Marshall on Wednesday night. The Falcons scored one goal in the first half and four in the second half in the 17-5 defeat. Five different Falcons scored in the contest.

The Falcons return to action on the road Wednesday, March 12, when they travel to Clearwater, Fl. for spring break. Messiah will take on Haverford College at 12:00 p.m.

First Half
The Diplomats showed why they were worthy of the number three ranking in the nation as they took a 9-0 lead in the first quarter and held a 13-1 lead at halftime. They were quick to score just 42 seconds into the game. Katie Bukiewicz fired a shot on goal a minute later, but it was saved by the Diplomats' goalie. In the next possession, Franklin & Marshall put one in the back of the net to double their lead to 2-0. The Diplomats added a third goal before two shots from Hayley Lettinga were saved to keep the Falcons scoreless. The Diplomats looked to add another on a free position attempt, but Olivia Hewitt made the save. Franklin & Marshall added two before Messiah called a timeout with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter. Lettinga had a third shot saved before the Diplomats scored another four to lead 9-0 after the first period.

Hannah Gawne was the first to fire a shot in the second period, but it was saved by the Diplomats' goalie. Franklin & Marshall added three goals before the Falcons earned a man-up possession. With the man-up possession, Grace Pettitt was able to capitalize, finding the back of the net for the Falcons and bringing the score to 12-1 with 3:38 remaining in the first half. The Diplomats found the back of the net once more to hold a 13-1 lead heading into halftime.

Second Half
Franklin & Marshall scored 35 seconds into the second half, still running off their first-half momentum. It would be the Falcons next to score on back-to-back possessions with Katie Bukiewicz earning the draw control with Hannah Gawne netting the Falcons. Gawne then picked up the draw control for the Falcons and Jordan Lewicki scored on the possession for the third Messiah goal of the game. It took the Diplomats four minutes to score their next goal and another two and a half before netting their third of the third quarter, bringing the score to 16-3 with 4:46 remaining. Franklin & Marshall added one more goal before firing one that was saved by Olivia Hewitt, giving the Diplomats a 17-3 lead going into the final quarter.

The teams played six and a half minutes before a shot was fired. The Diplomats were first to get a shot on the board in the final quarter, with Olivia Hewitt picking up a save for the Falcons in goal. Three minutes later, Katie Bukiewicz found Dani Sauder for the Falcons fourth goal. Two minutes later, the Falcons earned a free position attempt that resulted in a free position shot and goal for Brynn Johnsen to bring the score to 17-5 which would remain the final score as the Falcons kept the Diplomats off the board in the final quarter of play.

Stats
The Diplomats outshot the Falcons 26-11. Messiah held a slight advantage in ground balls 16-15. Each team had 16 turnovers and nine caused turnovers. Grace Pettitt, Hannah Gawne, Jordan Lewicki, Dani Sauder, and Brynn Johnson each had a goal for the Falcons and Katie Bukiewicz added an assist. Olivia Hewitt had three saves in goal.

Up Next
The Falcons return to action on the road Wednesday, March 12, when they travel to Clearwater, Fl. for spring break. Messiah will take on Haverford College at 12:00 p.m.