GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Messiah Field Hockey team secured the No. 3 seed in the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Tournament after finishing the regular season with a conference record of 7-1. The Falcons will travel to No. 2 Stevenson University on Wednesday, Nov. 4, for one of two semifinal contests. The No. 1 York College Spartans will host the winner of the play-in game between No. 5 Alvernia University Golden Wolves and the No. 4 Widener University Pride happening Monday, Nov. 2. The winners of both Wednesday games with meet on Saturday for the MAC Commonwealth Championship, hosted by the highest remaining seed.
Messiah has appeared in 40 conference tournaments, making it to the championship game in 35. The Falcons hold a 72-11 overall record in the Conference Tournament, collecting 29 championships.
Fans should note that since this is a Middle Atlantic Conference Postseason Tournament, tickets are required for all fans. The prices for tickets are as follows: Adults: $10, Senior Citizens (65+): $5, Children (7-17): $5, MAC Students (with Valid School ID) and Children 6 and Under: Free.
See below for a quick preview of the MAC Commonwealth Tournament Field:
No. 3 Messiah University Falcons
11-6 Overall Record, 7-1 MAC Commonwealth
Season Recap
The Falcons opened their season with a pair of home wins over No. 9 Dickinson and No. 2 Johns Hopkins before dropping four road games to ranked opponents. Messiah won six straight to open Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth play, including a 1-0 double overtime win at undefeated Stevenson. After dropping a game to York, the Falcons earned a win at Albright to secure a spot in a three-way tie for first, landing in the third seed for the MAC Commonwealth Tournament.
Players to Watch
#1
Aubrey Clark – 10 goals, 7 assists, 36 shots on goal
#16
Addie Weiler – 10 goals, 1 assist, 20 shots on goal
#10
Ellie Lefever – 9 goals, 4 assists, 25 shots on goal
#17
Olivia Zaskoda – 5 goals, 16 shots on goal
#6
Chelsea Carlisle – 3 goals, 11 assists, 17 shots on goal
No. 2 Stevenson University Mustangs
16-1 Overall Record, 7-1 MAC Commonwealth
Season Recap
The Mustsngs opened their season 9-0 in non-conference play, with a notable 4-1 win over No. 2 Salisbury, outscoring opponents 29-1. Stevenson opened conference play 3-0 before falling to Messiah 1-0 in double overtime in their only loss of the season. The Mustangs then won four straight to end the regular season and secure the No. 2 seed in the three-way tiebreak.
Players to Watch
#10 Gracyn Catalano – 14 goals, 5 assists, 29 shots on goal
#12 Hailey Mertz – 8 goals, 6 assists, 20 shots on goal
#17 Sydney Aylward – 7 goals, 6 assists, 21 shots on goal
#15 Lauren Schulz – 4 goals, 8 assists, 9 shots on goal
#80 Jordan Vradenburgh – 0.27 goals against average, 0.886 save percentage
No. 1 York College Spartans
14-4 Overall Record, 7-1 MAC Commonwealth
Season Recap
York opened the season with a 6-3 record in non-conference play, with 2-1 overtime wins against No. 5 Johns Hopkins and No. 4 Salisbury. The Spartans opened conference play with three wins before 1-0 to Stevenson in overtime. York then won five straight, with four conference wins, to conclude the regular season and claim the top spot in the three-way tie break for first.
Players to Watch
#12 Katelyn Landis – 12 goals, 3 assists, 20 shots on goal
#6 Kate Egan – 11 goals, 3 assists, 31 shots on goal
#9 Kelbie Linebaugh – 9 goals, 2 assists, 24 shots on goal
#18 Aliza Staub – 6 goals, 2 assists, 37 shots on goal
#0 Maddy Merlack – 1.03 goals against average, 0.788 save percentage
No. 4 Widener University Pride
8-8 Overall Record, 5-3 MAC Commonwealth
Season Recap
The Pride opened their non-conference slate 3-4 before picking up a win at Albright to open to conference play. Widener then dropped games to Stevenson and York before picking up wins against Hood and Eastern. After a loss at Messiah, the Pride picked up a pair of wins to end conference play in the four seed.
Players to Watch
#23 Karly Bervinchak – 10 goals, 8 assists, 42 shots on goal
#20 Anabella Cenci – 9 goals, 2 assists, 31 shots on goal
#21 Brie Mallozzi – 6 goals, 4 assists, 17 shots on goal
#12 Kayden Geiter – 2 goals, 1 assist, 6 defensive saves
#42 Emma Korenthal – 3.31 goals against average, 0.645 save percentage
No. 5 Alvernia University Golden Wolves
8-9 Overall Record, 4-4 MAC Commonwealth
Season Recap
The Golden Wolves opened the season 4-4 in non-conference play before opening conference play with a loss to Stevenson and wins over Albright and Hood. Alvernia then dropped games against Messiah and York before going 2-1 to end the season and secure the fifth seed.
Players to Watch
#8 Ava Michael – 14 goals, 6 assists, 39 shots on goal
#15 Caroline Martin – 8 goals, 3 assists, 26 shots on goal
#7 Sarah Schaffer – 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 shots on goal
#20 Carley Markert – 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 defensive saves
#26 Jazmin Mayfield - 2.03 goals against average, 0.737 save percentage
