Box Score
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Sophomore
Victoria Umbach (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) scored a pair of goals and junior
Haley Mowery (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Northern) recorded a season-high 14 saves as Gettysburg just missed knocking off top-ranked Messiah College in a 3-2 decision in a non-conference field hockey match up Wednesday at Shirk Field at Musselman Stadium.
Playing the No. 1 team in the country for the first time in seven years, Gettysburg (3-5) was on its heels early on as Messiah (9-1) controlled possession of the ball throughout the first half of play. The Falcons put seven shots on goal in the opening 10:39, but Mowery knocked away each attempt.
The visitors eventually broke through as Moriah Pfautz picked up her own rebound and flipped it over Mowery at 11:56. Just six minutes later, Messiah scored off a penalty corner as lead passer Taylor Holt sprinted to the left wing and slapped a bouncing ball into the cage. Nicole Wilkerson picked up the assist.
The Falcons made it a 3-0 lead in the opening minutes of the second period when Carissa Gehman knocked in her team-best 13th goal of the year.
Gettysburg began pressing on offense and after several direct shots at the cage, the Bullets hit pay-dirt when Umbach picked up the loose ball following a penalty corner and slid it just inside the right post at 57:26.
Just five minutes later, a similar scoring opportunity presented itself for the Orange and Blue off a penalty corner. Senior
Hannah Fitzgerald's (Larchmont, N.Y./Mamaroneck) shot was stopped by Annalise Armstrong in front of the goal. As Armstrong was attempting to clear it away, senior
Tori Sankey (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville) blocked the pass right to Umbach who converted just inside the right post again.
Messiah controlled the action over the final seven minutes and did not allow another offensive move by Gettysburg.
The Falcons finished with a 30-9 advantage in shots and a 13-3 lead in penalty corners.
Gettysburg resumes its Centennial Conference schedule with a road trip to Swarthmore College this Saturday, Oct. 8, at noon.
