FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Messiah University Field Hockey team traveled to Frederickisburg, Va. to take on the No. 2 Christopher Newport University Captains on Saturday afternoon. After 80 scoreless minutes, the Falcons and Captains took to a penalty shootout. After the initial 5-vs-5 shootout, the teams were notched as Chelsea Carpenter, Ellie Lefever, and Lillian Peters each made their shots and Joy Lippert picked up two saves in goal for the Falcons. Each team then made and missed a shot to remain level. After a miss by the Falcons, the Captains were able to find the back of the cage and take the 1-0 victory.

The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, September 24, when they travel to Baltimore, Md. to take on No. 3 Johns Hopkins University at 6:00 p.m.

First Half
Messiah was quick to fire a shot when Ellie Lefever had her shot blocked by a Captains defender. Christopher Newport returned the favor with a shot at the other end of the field where Lillian Peters picked up a defensive save. The Captains fired another two shots on goal that were saved by Joy Lippert before Lindsey Campione was able to put on frame for the Falcons, but the Captains' goalie made the save to keep the game scoreless. The Falcons then earned a penalty corner that resulted in two shots from Caitlyn Weatherill, the first being blocked and the second being saved by the Captains' goalie. At the 12:31 mark, the Falcons fired three shots on frame in only 17 seconds. Naomi Lyter had a shot saved by the goalie before Chelsea Carpenter was stopped by a defensive save and a goalie save to keep the game tied 0-0.

The Falcons earned an early penalty corner in the second period, but they were unable to register a shot. After eight minutes of little action, the Falcons earned their second penalty corner of the quarter. Ellie Lefever was able to fire a shot on goal, but it was saved by the Christopher Newport goalie.

Second Half
Christopher Newport looked to prove their ranking early in the second half, firing off five shots in the first five minutes, forcing Joy Lippert to make three saves as Falcons' defenders blocked the other two. Christopher Newport picked up two penalty corners, firing off three shots that were blocked by Messiah defenders. Joy Lippert made a save in goal before a late shot by the Captains was blocked by the Falcons' defense to move to the final period remaining scoreless.

In the opening five minutes of the final quarter, the Captains had three penalty corner opportunities that resulted in three blocked shots. Joy Lippert then made two saves before a third shot from the Captains hit the post. Joy Lippert made a pair of saves and the Falcons' defense made a late block to finish regulation 0-0 and head to overtime.

Overtime
In the first overtime period, the Captains put three shots on frame but Joy Lippert was able to make three strong saves to force the second overtime period. The Falcons earned a penalty corner early in the second overtime, but the shot fired by Caitlyn Weatherill was blocked by a Captains' defender. Joy Lippert picked up another save in goal before Aubrey Clark fired a shot on frame, forcing the Christopher Newport goalie to make a save. The Falcons fired one shot wide before the clock wound down, as the teams headed to a penalty shootout to determine a winner.

In the initial 5-vs-5 shootout, Chelsea Carpenter, Ellie Lefever, and Lillian Peters each made their shots, while Joy Lippert made two saves to have the teams notched 3-3. Caitlyn Weatherill then made her next attempt and was matched by her Captain counterpart. After a missed Falcon shot, Joy Lippert made a save to keep the teams level. The next Falcon miss was followed by a make for the Captains as CNU claimed the 1-0 victory.

Stats
Chelsea Carpenter, Ellie Lefever, and Caitlyn Weatherill led the Falcons with three shots a piece, with Carpenter placing two on goal. Joy Lippert made 14 saves in goal while Lillian Peters picked up a defensive save.

Up Next
The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, September 24, when they travel to Baltimore, Md. to take on No. 3 Johns Hopkins University at 6:00 p.m.