GRANTHAM, Pa. - No. 3 Lebanon Valley College won its 15th game in a row as it held on to beat No. 10 Messiah College, 4-2, in LVC's Commonwealth Conference opener Wednesday night at Anderson Field.
With their 15th consecutive win, the Dutchmen (15-0, 1-0 CC) broke the record for longest winning streak in program history, previously set in 2000. The Falcons' (8-4, 1-1 CC) four losses have all come to ranked teams, three of them in top five.
"This is what it's all about," said Head Coach Laurel Martin. "It's a great rivalry, great competition... It's one of those games you look forward to."
Senior Mimi Sullivan had two goals and an assist, while sophomore Caitlin Baro made four saves for the Dutchmen.
Sullivan scored the game's first goal off Erika Peter's quick cross 18 minutes into the game.
The Falcons came back with an excellent opportunity of their own, but Lauren Tennis' shot sailed just wide of a charging Baro.
Tennis tried again a minute later, but sophomore Nicole Bomberger made a defensive save to clear the ball off the line to preserve the lead.
LVC's advantage wouldn't last, however, as Messiah's Sarah Bich got loose on a breakaway run and found Tennis for the finish with 5:47 left in the half.
The Dutchmen answered immediately, charging into the Falcon end off the restart. Sullivan collected a pass from Shauna Enck and buried her second goal of the game just 13 seconds after Messiah's equalizer.
The Falcons came out of the break pressing, but LVC countered when Sullivan pushed a long pass to a wide-open Alex Wolfe, who beat the 'keeper to put the Dutchmen up 3-1 four minutes into the half.
Messiah again responded quickly when Katie Love's shot from six yards out deflected off an LVC defender and into the cage.
But the Dutchmen removed any doubt with 11 minutes left, countering off a Falcon penalty corner with a quick run and a goal by freshman Shelly Lobach to make it 4-2.
LVC held a 13-8 advantage on shots; the two sides were equal with six penalty corners apiece.
Ashley Mowery played a fine game for Messiah, making nine saves in the loss.
The Dutchmen will return home to take on Widener Saturday at 11 a.m.
