Box Score

GRANTHAM, Pa. – Senior Amanda Borucki (Westminster, Md./North Carroll) tied a personal high with four goals to lead sixth-ranked Gettysburg College past No. 14 Messiah College 11-6 in the season opener on Saturday afternoon.
 
Messiah (0-1) jumped on the scoreboard in the opening minute as Allie Colson found the back of the net in 51 seconds. The Falcons were looking for more on the next possession, but Shayna Delaney's first attempt hit the crossbar and Gettysburg (1-0) goalie Shannon Keeler (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) thwarted an ensuing free-position shot by Delaney.
 
The Bullets started up the offense following a caused turnover by sophomore Cassie Smith (Phoenix, Md./St. Paul's School for Girls). Gettysburg came right back up the field with senior Abby Baigelman (Larchmont, N.Y./Mamaroneck) going to goal at 20:24. Just 19 seconds later, senior Maggie Connolly (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) raced to the cage after grabbing the draw control to make it 2-1.
 
Gettysburg was unable to shake Messiah as the hosts came back to tie the contest twice in the next 10 minutes, with Stephanie Athens making it 3-3 with 11:29 remaining in the first half. The Bullets surged into the half on a three-goal run started by senior Emily Tropsa (Darien, Conn./Darien) at 9:34. Borucki tossed in two free-position tallies to give the visitors a 6-3 edge at the break.
 
Messiah closed to 7-5 with 18:54 left in the second half before another run by the Bullets put the game away. Borucki finished off a four-goal spurt with her fourth score off a feed by Baigelman with 2:35 to go.
 
Messiah finished with the lead in shots (24-22) and draw controls (11-8), while Gettysburg led in ground balls (19-14).
 
Baigelman turned in two goals and two assists and Connolly finished with two goals, one assist, and three draw controls. Junior Caroline Jaeger (Hampton, N.J./North Hunterdon) posted one goal, one assist, and two draw controls. Junior Emma Christie (Cos Cob, Conn./Greenwich) scored a goal and scooped up four ground balls.
 
Keeler finished a solid day in the Gettysburg cage with eight saves and five ground balls.
 
Delaney and Athens each turned in a pair of goals for Messiah, while Alexa Dipeso posted five saves.
 
Gettysburg will visit Stevenson University for a non-conference affair on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 4 p.m.