Grantham, Pa. (April 23, 2025) - Messiah University (13-3, 6-0) took an 8-1 lead late in the first quarter and the Falcons used their early lead to power past Alvernia University (3-13, 1-5) for a 20-3 win on Wednesday afternoon in MAC Commonwealth women's lacrosse action at Messiah. 

The Falcons, who were ranked 19th in the country in the latest NPI rankings, got on the board just over a minute into the game. But, Alvernia answered and evened the game at 1-1 nearly five minutes later on a free-position goal by Sherrin Smith with nine minutes to play in the opening quarter. 

After another scoreless five minutes on both sides, the Falcons broke things up. Messiah scored four goals over the course of 90 seconds to take a 5-1 lead with 3:16 to play in the first quarter. Messiah then added three more goals in the final three minutes of the quarter to take an 8-1 lead going into the second.

The Falcons scored the opening two goals of the second quarter to take a 10-1 lead. The Golden Wolves brought it back within eight, 10-2, on a Smith goal off the assist of Gracie Brower. But, the Falcons scored the final three goals of the half to take a 13-2 lead into the break.

A player-up goal by Hannah Tyler off the assist of Makenna Thomas opened the third quarter scoring and made it a 13-3 game. Alvernia held the Falcons to three goals in the third quarter to make it a 16-3 game going into the final frame.

The Falcons added four more goals in the fourth quarter for the 20-3 final. 

Sherrin Smith led Alvernia with two goals for two points. Hannah Tyler, Makenna Thomas, and Gracie Brower each finished with a point. Smith and Kayleigh Kight finished with two draw controls, and Tyler and Sophia Ruocco finished with two caused turnovers. Tyler and Hannah Wolfe had a team-high three ground balls. Wolfe also finished with eight saves in net.

Alvernia closes out its season on Saturday hosting Albright in the first game of a doubleheader with the Men's Lacrosse team.