Reading, Pa. (Oct. 22, 2016) - National #1 Messiah College (14-1, 6-0) scored once in the first 10 minutes and twice in the last 10 for a 3-0 win over #15 Alvernia University (16-1, 5-1) on a blustery Saturday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth field hockey action at Alvernia.

Junior Carissa Gehman received a cross from Moriah Pfautz in the eighth minute of the game, carried into the circle and tucked the ball under a sliding Rebecca Brosious to open the scoring.  The game remained a 1-goal difference until the Falcons scored twice in a two-mintue span with under eight to play.

Brosious made nine saves in net for the Crusaders.

Alvernia senior Alexis Krall had the first chance for the Crusaders, but her shot in the 20th minute was turned away by Messiah goalie Shelby Landes.

Messiah ramped up the pressure early in the second half, but Brosious was equal to the task every time making five saves in the first five minutes of the half.  

Alvernia earned three corners over the first 20 minutes of the second half, but couldn't cash in and Messiah maintained the 1-0 lead with under 15 minutes to play.

Messiah earned corners in the 63rd and 65th minutes and were able to turn both into scores to push the lead to 3-0.

Alvernia responded with a strong offensive push over the final three mintues of the game, but Landes recorded four saves to keep the Crusaders off the board.

With other results on Saturday, the top three seeds are set for the MAC Commonwealth postseason.  Messiah will be the top seed and have home field advantage.  Alvernia will be seeded #2 and host #3 Arcadia in a semifinal on Wednesday, November 2.  Albright and Lebanon Valley are both alive for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Alvernia travels to Albright to wrap up the conference schedule on Thursday.  An Alvernia win would give LVC the #4 seed and a semifinal at #1 Messiah.

#1 Messiah 3, #15 Alvernia 0