Grantham, Pa. (Nov. 6, 2024) - #1 Messiah University (14-4) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back as the Falcons defeated #4 Alvernia University (12-7), 7-1, on Wednesday night in the MAC Commonwealth semifinal at Messiah.

Messiah led 3-0 through ten minutes of action and pushed its lead to 5-0 at the half. Alvernia scored the first goal of the second half, but Messiah scored two more later in the third quarter for the 7-1 win.

How it Happened

• Messiah had its foot on the gas from the jump and scored its first goal of the game just 1:45 into the first. The Falcons doubled up on their lead two and a half minutes later, and made it a 3-0 game in the tenth minute.
• Alvernia slowed Messiah down heading into the second quarter and through the majority of the second frame. But, the Falcons were awarded six corners across five minutes late in the second quarter, and Messiah broke through on two of them to take the 5-0 lead into the half.
• Alvernia regrouped at the half and got on the board on a goal from Kelsy McClintock just 30 seconds into the half. But, Messiah quickly pushed its lead back to five three minutes later, making it a 6-1 game with just over 11 minutes to play in the quarter. Messiah scored off another corner with 1:20 to play in the third to take a 7-1 lead in the final frame.
• The Golden Wolves shutout Messiah in the fourth quarter off of eight saves from Lexi Boettcher in net, but Alvernia could not get on the board again as Messiah took the semifinal win, 7-1.

Inside the Box Score

• Kelsy McClintock was Alvernia's lone goal-scorer of the game off the assist of Ava Michael.
• Lexi Boettcher had a career-high 16 saves in 45 minutes of action, including eight saves in the fourth quarter. 
• Messiah was awarded 22 penalty corners to Alvernia's three.

Up Next

• Messiah will host #2 York in the Championship game on Saturday.
• Alvernia awaits a possible bid into the ECAC tournament next week.