Squad Buries Wilkes, Remains Unbeaten In MAC Play
Freshman Meghan Doolittle put three in the back of the net Tuesday.

Wilkes Barre, PA — It was yet another dominating performance for the Messiah women’s lacrosse team Tuesday, as the Falcons handed Wilkes University a 19-8 defeat at Ralston Field.

The Falcons’ third straight MAC decision and seventh overall, Tuesday’s contest was in doubt only momentarily. After Messiah (9-3, 7-0) allowed the Colonels to score goals at the 24:47 and 22:19 marks in the first half, the Falcons completely took over, rattling off eight straight scores — leading to a 10-5 advantage at the intermission.

Senior Jackie Dando, sophomore Megan Bovenzi and freshman Rachel Dirksen all scored two goals during the run, as Messiah would record 41 total shots on the day to Wilkes’ 17.

“Our offense took a great step in the right direction today,” said Heather Greer, Messiah head coach. “They worked well within the framework of our motion offense but really created other options after seeing the defense that Wilkes was running. They have had great team chemistry off of the field from the beginning of the season which is starting to finally translate to great offensive chemistry on the field. I was so proud of how they adapted and created some beautiful offensive moments today.”

Perhaps Messiahs’ greatest offensive stretch came early in the second half, where the team strung seven more goals together — allowing Wilkes (8-5, 4-4) to find the back of the cage just once in the period’s first 12 minutes. The result was a 17-6 lead with just over 10 minutes to play.

Dando and freshman Rachel Coyle paced the scoring effort, each charting four goals. Coyle came up with a game-high six ground balls, while Dirksen equaled her in draw controls with five.

Bovenzi and freshman Meghan Doolittle each scored three times, while senior goalie Jen Venter finished with five saves between the pipes.

Messiah won nearly half the draw controls — 19 of 29 total — and finished with 30 ground balls on the afternoon.

“(Freshman) Keri (Nickles) and Doo (Meghan Doolittle) both had the best games of their college careers today,” Greer said. “Keri really worked well to create options for us offensively and also became a key part of our transition which enabled us to push the fast break which we were very successful with today. Doo finally became the playmaker that I know she can be! She not only found the back of the net three times but she seemed to be in all the right places at all the right times today demonstrating some of her great stick work.”

Messiah will return to action Thursday in a big MAC showdown, as the team travels to Eastern University. Game time is set for 4 p.m.