GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 20 Messiah Women's Lacrosse team defeated the Alvernia University Golden Wolves on Wednesday afternoon with a score of 20-3 on the Lacrosse Turf at the Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium. The Falcons took an 8-1 lead after the first quarter and extended the lead to 13-2 at halftime. Messiah only allowed one goal in the third quarter as they dominated the field with a 20-3 win. Hayley Lettinga led the Falcons with six goals while Jordan Lewicki added four. Grace Pettitt dished out nine assists and added a goal.

The Falcons return to action on Saturday, April 26, when they travel to York College for a battle of the top two teams in the conference at 1:00 p.m.

First Quarter
Despite the Golden Wolves earning the opening draw control, the Falcons quickly recovered the ball as Riley Lewicki caused a turnover and Regan Gillesse picked up the ground ball. Grace Pettitt found Jordan Lewicki for the Falcons first goal of the game with 13:45 on the clock. Hayley Lettinga looked to add another for the Falcons, but the Golden Wolves goalie was able to make the save. Alvernia capitalized on a free position attempt with the equalizing goal. A shot from the Golden Wolves four minutes later was saved by Grace Hejeebu before the Falcons went on an offensive run of seven unanswered goals in the remaining 4:45 in the first quarter. Grace Pettitt connected with Katie Bukiewicz before Alina Bernal-Clark and Hannah Gawne played a little give and go in front of the net as Bernal-Clark gave Messiah a 3-1 lead. Lettinga scored an unassisted goal with Annalise Keitel finding Jordan Lewicki for her second goal of the game. The Falcons scored three in the final two minutes with Bukiewicz, Bernal-Clark, and Bukiewicz again scoring to bring the Messiah lead to 8-1 as the first quarter came to a close.

Second Quarter
Out of the break, the Falcons and Golden Wolves played three scoreless minutes before Hayley Lettinga recovered a ground ball and notched a goal. A minute later, Alina Bernal-Clark found Jordan Lewicki to give Messiah the 10-1 lead. The Golden Wolves were able to find the back of the net before Kayla Arnold found Brynn Johnsen to extend the Messiah lead to 11-2. Alvernia looked to take advantage of a free position attempt, but Grace Hejeebu made a save in net for the Falcons. After some back-and-forth play on the field, Lettinga notched a free position goal for the Falcons to give Messiah the 10-goal lead and start a running clock. Brynn Johnsen scored one more before the break to give the Falcons a 13-2 lead heading into halftime.

Third Quarter
The Golden Wolves scored first in the second half with a goal under a minute into play. The Falcons defense kept them scoreless for the remaining 29 minutes on the field. The Messiah offense added three goals in the third quarter with Grace Pettitt finding Alina Bernal-Clark with 12:21 remaining. Pettitt later found Lettinga to take a 15-3 lead before nine minutes of back-and-forth play. With just under a minute remaining, Pettitt found Abby Welchans to extend the lead to 16-3 with 15 minutes to play.

Fourth Quarter
Grace Pettitt found Hayley Lettinga early in the fourth to extend the lead to 17-3 before some back-and-forth play between the Falcons and the Golden Wolves. With 6:17 left, Grace Pettit found the back of the goal on her own. After Kayla Arnold missed just high, Pettitt found Jordan Lewicki for her fourth goal of the game. The Falcons netted a final goal on a free position attempt from Hayley Lettinga to earn the 20-3 win.

Stats
Hayley Lettinga led the Falcons with six goals while Jordan Lewicki added four. Grace Pettitt dished out nine assists and added a goal. Her nine assists is one shy of the program record of 10 she set against Alvernia last season. Seven total Falcons scored in the win with Alina Bernal-Clark and Katie Bukiewicz each scoring three. Brynn Johnsen scored a pair while Abby Welchans added one.

Up Next
The Falcons return to action on Saturday, April 26, when they travel to York College for a battle of the top two teams in the conference at 1:00 p.m.