GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Neumann University Field Hockey team were stopped by Messiah University in their first Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth game on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 4-0.
Messiah got the day started just 1:53 into the game on a shot from straightaway after a penalty corner feed. Neumann settled down from there but were forced to play in the own defensive third of the field for most of the half.
Ly'Airrah Sanders was key in keeping the game tight with six saves over the first 30 minutes of the match.
In the second half, the Knights continued to thwart the Falcons attempts for an insurance goal but 4:07 into the third quarter, they converted. A penalty corner was inserted to the top of the circles. The ensuing shot was deflected in, doubling the lead. With just under 10 minutes remaining, a crossing pass into the circle connected for Messiah, extending the lead. Messiah added one more on a loose ball with 18 seconds left in the game.
Jess Silver led the Neumann offensive effort with two shots, one on goal.
Ayla Mergen,
Natalia Thomas,
Cadence Conti, and
Natalie Zoffer also had shots on goal. Sanders finished the game with seven saves.
Neumann (6-3, 0-1 MAC Commonwealth) will return home on Wednesday afternoon to host York College of Pennsylvania, starting at 4:00 PM.
