BOX SCORE | PHOTOS

Grantham, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2010) - Top-seeded Messiah College (15-2) used a pair of early goals to set the tone and tallied five first-half goals in a 6-1 win over #4 Alvernia University (11-9) Wednesday afternoon in a Commonwealth Conference field hockey semifinal at Messiah.

The Falcons got on the board first in the fifth minute on a goal from Kourtney Ehly and posted a second goal in the eighth minute on a Juilanna Hershey score.  The second goal prompted an Alvernia timeout and a keeper change with freshman Samantha Leck (Fleetwood, Pa./Oley Valley) replacing starter Abby Eby (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot).

Alvernia pushed back with offensive pressure but couldn't turn one of its five first-half corners into a score, while the hosts added three more goals in the first half against Leck and took a 5-0 lead into the break.

Alvernia held a balance of possession in the second half and finally got on the board with Katy Eby (New Holland, Pa./Garden Spot) finding Brittany Barcus (Atglen, Pa./Octorara) for her fourth of the season.

The Falcons answered the score in the 62nd minute for the 6-1 final.  Messiah -- the top-ranked team in the nation -- takes on nationally ranked #2 Lebanon Valley Saturday in the Commonwealth Final.

Alvernia awaits a possible ECAC bid on Monday.

#1 Messiah 6, #4 Alvernia 1