GENEVA, N.Y. – The Messiah Field Hockey team traveled to Geneva, N.Y. to take on the Herons of William Smith on Saturday afternoon. The Falcons earned the 4-1 road win over the Herons. After a scoreless first quarter, Aubrey Clark found the back of the cage early in the second quarter off a pass from Lexi Hanlin and the Falcons maintained the 1-0 lead into halftime. Ellie Lefever and Audrey Weger both found the goal in the third quarter before Kenzie Feeney found the goal late in the third. The Herons were able to score one in the fourth to keep the Falcons from earning the shut out but Messiah walked away with the 4-1 win.

The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 1, when they host the Profs of No. 18 Rowan University at 6:00 p.m. on Anderson Field.

First Half
The Herons had an early scoring opportunity as they earned a penalty corner just 25 seconds into play, but Joy Lippert made the save in goal for Messiah to thwart the early attempt. Chelsea Carpenter had the first look for the Falcons on offense, but her shot was blocked by a William Smith defender. Two minutes later Mattie Hartzler fired a shot on goal, but the Herons goalie was able to make the save. The Falcons earned a pair of penalty corners in the tenth minute that resulted in shots on goal from Lexie Zaring and Chelsea Carpenter that forced two saves by the William Smith goalie. At the other end of the field, Joy Lippert made a save before the Herons earned a penalty corner. After missing a shot wide, the Herons fired a shot on goal that was again saved by Lippert to keep the teams scoreless after the first quarter.

Messiah was first to strike in the contest when Aubrey Clark scored a goal just over a minute into the second quarter off a pass from Lexi Hanlin to take a 1-0 lead. Clark received the ball just inside the circle and used a spin around shot around her defender to send the ball through the goalie's feet. The Falcons then picked up two penalty corners and Aubrey Clark fired a shot on goal that was saved by the Herons' goalie to keep the score at 1-0. Joy Lippert made a save at the other end to maintain the Falcons' lead before Caitlyn Weatherill fired a shot on goal looking to extend the lead. The William Smith goalie was able to make the save as the Messiah lead remained 1-0. Audrey Weger and Aubrey Clark each fired a shot on goal in the final 30 seconds, but the Herons' goalie made the save on both and Messiah held the 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.

Second Half
The Falcons extended their lead early in the third quarter with a goal by Ellie Lefever less than a minute into play. After a missed first swing, Lefever had an open shot at the goal on her second swing. Chelsea Carpenter looked to add to the total a minute later but had her shot saved by the Herons' goalie. After a pair of penalty corners and a pair of shots just wide for the Falcons, Aubrey Clark sent a ball to the front of the cage where Audrey Weger was able to tap it past the goalie for the third Messiah goal of the contest. Weger quickly looked to score another on the next possession but had her shot saved by the Herons' goalie. In the last minute of play, Lillian Peters found Weger in the center circle. Weger found Kenzie Feeney who ued a backhanded shot to give Messiah a 4-0 lead with one quarter of play remaining.

 William Smith was able to find the back of the cage around three minutes into the fourth quarter to cut the Messiah lead to 4-1. Ellie Lefever and Aubrey Clark each fired a shot but were unable to find the back of the cage. Kenzie Feeney fired a late shot on goal that was saved by the Herons' goalie, and the Falcons took the 4-1 win.

Stats
Aubrey Clark, Ellie Lefever, Audrey Weger, and Kenzie Feeney each scored a goal for the Falcons. Lexi Hanlin, Weger, and Clark each tallied an assist. Joy Lippert made four saves in the win. The Falcons out shot the Herons 19-7, placing 14 on goal to the Herons' five. Messiah earned eight corners.

Up Next
The Falcons return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 1, when they host the Profs of No. 18 Rowan University at 6:00 p.m. on Anderson Field.