GRANTHAM, Pa. – The No. 16 Messiah Women's Lacrosse team hosted the No. 7 Spartans of York College to open MAC Commonwealth action for the 2026 season. In a top 25 match-up to open conference play, the Falcons and Spartans battled from the opening minute. The Falcons held a slight 3-2 advantage after a first quarter hat-trick from Grace Pettitt. York took control in the second, holding an 8-5 lead at the half. Outscoring York 4-1 in the third, Messiah notched the score 9-9 with one quarter remaining. The Falcons used a pair of goals in the final quarter to take the 11-9 win to open conference play. Hayley Lettinga led the Falcons with four goals and one assist. Grace Pettitt added three goals and a pair of assists. Brynn Johnsen collected four draw controls and two ground balls while Hannah Gawne tallied four caused turnovers and four groundballs. Grace Hejeebu totaled 20 saves in goal, recording a .690 save percentage.

Messiah returns to action on Wednesday, April 8, at 4:00 p.m. when they host the Lions of Albright College on Educator Appreciation Day.

First Quarter
In a highly anticipated match-up, the Falcons and Spartans began the contest with back-and-forth possession before York earned a free position attempt. Grace Hejeebu made the save on the shots before Hannah Gawne caused a turnover to give Messiah possession. Grace Pettitt was the first to get on the board with an unassisted goal at 12:36. Hejeebu picked up a pair of saves before Hayley Lettinga had a free position shot saved by the Spartans' goalie. York was able to find their way onto the board at the other end of the field before Jordan Lewicki found Pettitt a minute later to regain the lead 2-1. After York won the draw control, Grace Hejeebu made a save to maintain the Falcons' lead before Grace Pettitt notched her third goal of the quarter for a 3-1 Messiah lead. York tallied a goal just under two minutes later before looking for the equalizer that was saved by Hejeebu to maintain the 3-2 lead after the first quarter.

Second Quarter
The Spartans fired an early shot on goal in the second with Grace Hejeebu made the save. A minute later, York was able to find the back of the cage to notch the score 3-3. Hayley Lettinga fired a shot on frame that was saved before Hejeebu picked up her second save in goal of the quarter. The Spartans added three goals over the next five minutes to take a 6-3 lead with 6:23 to play in the first half. Hejeebu made three saves over the next two minutes before Hayley Lettinga found the back of the cage to cut the deficit to two at 6-4. After a save in goal for Hejeebu, the Spartans were able to convert on a free position attempt to take a 7-4 lead. Annalise Keitel fired a shot on goal that was saved before missing a free position shot just high. The Falcons' controlled possession and Jordan Lewicki was able to find the back of the net. A late goal by York gave the Spartans an 8-5 lead at halftime.

Third Quarter
Out of the break, the back-and-forth play continued with Grace Hejeebu saving a shot on goal at the 12:25 mark. After a ground ball pick up by Addyson Wagman, Hannah Gawne notched an unassisted goal. Grace Hejeebu made a pair of saves before Grace Pettitt fired a shot on goal that forced a Spartans save. After a goal from York at 7:22, Hayley Lettinga tallied a goal before Pettitt connected with Lettinga for a second goal to bring the score to 9-8 in favor of York with 4:46 in the quarter. It was again Grace Pettitt finding Hayley Lettinga with 1:15 remaining to level the score 9-9 with one quarter remaining.

Fourth Quarter
Hannah Gawne caused a York turnover to open the fourth before Grace Pettitt and Annalise Keitel fired shots at the other end of the field. After a save in goal from Grace Hejeebu, Brynn Johnsen missed a shot just high. Annalise Keitel fired a shot on goal that was saved before another save in goal for Hejeebu. Hejeebu tallied another pair of saves as Hannah Gawne had a shot saved. After a Messiah timeout at 5:05, a shot from Brynn Johnsen was blocked before she recovered the ricochet and fired a second chance shot into the back of the net to give the Falcons a 10-9 lead with 4:24 to play. Keitel had a shot on goal saved before a timeout by York. Grae Hejeebu made a save to maintain the one goal lead with 2:40 to play. The Spartans missed a pair of shots before Grace Hejeebu made a save with 33 seconds remaining on the clock. Hayley Lettinga found Hannah Gawne for a man-up goal with two seconds remaining to give Messiah the 11-9 win to open conference play.

Stats
Hayley Lettinga led the Falcons with four goals and one assist. Grace Pettitt added three goals and a pair of assists. Brynn Johnsen collected four draw controls and two ground balls while Hannah Gawne tallied four caused turnovers and four groundballs. Grace Hejeebu totaled 20 saves in goal, recording a .690 save percentage.

Up Next
Messiah returns to action on Wednesday, April 8, at 4:00 p.m. when they host the Lions of Albright College on Educator Appreciation Day.