Montclair, N.J. – The Messiah University Falcons picked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Montclair State University on Saturday afternoon. After a dominant first half from Messiah, the score remained 0-0 at the half. The Falcons continued to make opportunities and early in the fourth quarter, Caitlyn Weatherill found the back of the cage to give Messiah the 1-0 victory.

Messiah returns to action on Wednesday, September 17, when they host Ursinus College at 7:00 p.m. on Anderson Field.

First Half
The Falcons had an early opportunity to score with a penalty corner just 33 seconds into play. They could not generate a shot but on the next play, Chelsea Carpenter fired a shot just wide. Five minutes later Naomi Lyter fired a shot but also missed just wide. Montclair State had a pair of penalty corners just before the seven-minute mark but was unable to register a shot. It was then the Falcons with a pair of penalty corners, but no shots were registered. The Falcons had two more penalty corners before the end of the first quarter but did not register a goal.

In the second quarter, each team registered a pair of penalty corners. Lindsey Campione and Naomi Lyter each fired an early shot on goal, but the Montclair goalie made two saves. Aubrey Clark had a pair of shots on goal, but the goalie again made a pair of saves to keep the score 0-0 heading into halftime.

Second Half
The third quarter started with a shot on goal by Montclair that Joy Lippert was able to save. Aubrey Clark had a pair of shots on goal, looking to get the Falcons on the board but the Montclair goalie made the save on both. A penalty corner for Messiah looked to be the scoring opportunity the Falcons were looking for when Lindsey Campione fired a shot on goal, but it was again met by a Montclair goalie save. Joy Lippert picked up another save in goal before Campione fired a shot on goal forcing a save by the Montclair goalie to keep the game scoreless heading into the final period of regulation.

Aubrey Clark fired a shot on goal one minute into play in the final period that forced a save by the Montclair goalie. On the Falcons next possession, Caitlyn Weatherill was able to slot the ball past the Montclair goalie to give Messiah the 1-0 lead with just over 12 minutes to play. In the next four minutes, Anna Bea Koenig, Chelsea Carpenter, and Aubrey Clark looked to extend the Messiah lead with shots on goal, but each was saved by the Montclair goalie. Messiah's last chance to extend the lead was a penalty corner with four minutes to play, but they were unable to find the back of the cage and earned the 1-0 victory.

Stats
Caitlyn Weatherill scored the lone goal of the contest. Messiah outshot Montclair 21-4, placing 13 shots on goal. Joy Lippert made two saves in goal for the Falcons.

Up Next
Messiah returns to action on Wednesday, September 17, when they host Ursinus College at 7:00 p.m. on Anderson Field.