GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah University Women's Lacrosse Team hosted the Stevenson University Mustangs on Wednesday night for MAC Commonwealth Tournament Semifinal action. Messiah held a 6-5 advantage at halftime before Stevenson outscored Messiah 5-2 in the second half to earn the 10-8 win to advance to the MAC Commonwealth Championship on Saturday. Hayley Lettinga and Hannah Gawne each had a pair of goals for the Falcons.

Messiah will now wait to see if they receive an at-large bid on Monday, May 5 at 10:30 a.m. via the NCAA Selection Show on ncaa.com.

First Quarter
Messiah was first to strike when Grace Pettitt found Alina Bernal-Clark with 13:30 on the clock. The Mustangs answered two minutes later with a goal of their own. Katie Bukiewicz fired a shot on goal that was saved by the Mustangs' goalie to keep the score notched at 1-1. The Mustangs added two on a free position goal and a second chance shot to take a 3-1 lead with seven minutes to play. Stevenson added one more free position goal to hold a 4-1 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Second Quarter
The Mustangs were the first to fire a shot on goal in the second quarter with Grace Hejeebu making the save in goal for Messiah. The Falcons earned back-to-back free position attempts and Jordan Lewicki was able to score the free position goal with 12:17 on the clock. Stevenson answered with a goal to take back the three-goal advantage. Brynn Johnsen notched a free position goal to bring the score to 5-3. Hannah Gawne had a shot on frame saved before Hayley Lettinga fired a shot off the post and before her second chance shot was saved. The Mustangs fired another shot on goal that was saved by Hejeebu. With 3:16 remaining in the first half, Hannah Gawne scored on a free position attempt. Emma Hagg secured the draw control and Hayley Lettinga fired a shot into the back of the goal with 2:38 remaining in the first half to tie it 5-5. Lettinga then notched a free position goal with 27 seconds remaining to take a 6-5 lead heading into the break.

Third Quarter
Stevenson fired two shots wide to open the second half. Annalise Keitel fired a free position shot on goal, but the Mustangs' goalie was able to make the save. A free position shot for Stevenson missed high before they notched a goal on a second free position attempt to even the score 6-6 with 10:39 remaining in the third quarter. Katie Bukiewicz had a shot saved by the Mustangs' goalie before Stevenson took the lead with a free position goal. Annalise Keitel found Katie Bukiewicz to notch the score at 7-7. Stevenson added a pair of goals to take a 9-7 lead with one quarter remaining.

Fourth Quarter
Dani Sauder fired a shot on goal in the first minute of play, but the Mustangs' goalie made the save. Katie Bukiewicz and Hayley Lettinga each fired a shot on frame that was saved. Dani Sauder found Hannah Gawne with 9:47 on the clock to bring the deficit to one with Stevenson leading 9-8. It was five minutes of back-and-forth play before the Mustangs notched a goal with 4:54 to play to take a 10-8 lead that would hold as the final score of the game.

Stats
Hayley Lettinga and Hannah Gawne each notched a pair of goals for the Falcons. Gawne had four draw controls and a ground ball while Emma Hagg had three draw controls and a caused turnover. Grace Hejeebu had seven saves in goal.

Up Next
Messiah will now wait to see if they receive an at-large bid on Monday, May 5 at 10:30 a.m. via the NCAA Selection Show on ncaa.com.