Box Score Women's Lacrosse
#10 Messiah 16, Lebanon Valley 11

Box Score

ANNVILLE, Pa. - Lebanon Valley gave #10 Messiah all it could handle, hanging with the Falcons into the closing minutes as their upset bid fell short 16-11 at Arnold Field.

The Dutchmen (5-5, 0-1 Commonwealth) had scored just four goals in their previous two meetings with the Falcons (8-2, 1-0 CC), but an inspired defensive effort and hat tricks by Hana Krechel and Bailey Benz helped stay within two goals as late as the midpoint of the second half.

Krechel had three goals and three assists, while Benz had a hat trick with a helper and Mel Modrick scored twice. Lizzy Keeney, Cecilia Kjellman, and Meghan Doolittle each scored four for Messiah. The Falcons were without leading scorer Rachel Dirksen, serving a red card suspension from a game against Catholic last week.

Sara Vanderbogart led the defense with a program-record seven caused turnovers, including a pair of drawn charges, and eight ground balls. Erica Ameigh made 11 saves, nine in the second half, while Benz also caused four turnovers and picked up five ground balls.

LVC enjoyed a dream start against the nation's 10th-ranked team, going up 3-1 after goals by Benz, Krechel, and Christy Wilson in the opening 8:33. But the Falcons answered back with a 7-1 run, going up 8-4 before Krechel's second stopped the bleeding with 4:13 left in the first half. Keeney and Becky Ely added quick goals to go up 10-5, but Krechel had the half's final goal off the draw to go into the break down 10-6.

The Dutchmen played methodical, careful offense in the second and it paid off with a 4-2 run over the first 15 minutes. Jenny Simensky opened the half and Benz added two more before Modrick's goal at 15:51 cut the Messiah lead to 12-10. The next five minutes were unlucky as Krechel hit the post on a free-position attempt and Simensky also rang the pipe on a good chance, and Messiah shut the door quickly with a four-goal streak to take a 16-10 lead.

Suzanne Sullivan added a late goal for LVC to end it at 16-11.

Taylor Phillips earned the win with seven saves, six in the first half. Messiah outshot LVC 34-24 and led 17-11 on draws. The midfield transition game was key for the Falcons as they held LVC to a 21-of-32 conversion rate on clears.

LVC visits Lycoming on April 11.