GRANTHAM, PA – The York College field hockey team faced a big test in Friday's season opener as the Green and White dropped a 7-4 decision to top ranked and defending national champion Messiah in Grantham.

New Spartan head coach Katie Fost made her debut on the bench for York.

Records: York (0-1) / #1 Messiah (1-0)

Shots: York 6 / Messiah 21

Penalty Corners: York 5 / Messiah 11

Saves: York 8 / Messiah 1

How It Happened

• The Falcons wasted little time in getting on the board as Carissa Gehman collected a loose ball in the circle and banged a one-time shot into the cage for the 1-0 Messiah lead. The goal came just 27 seconds into the game.

• Gehman made 2-0 5:42 into the game as she collected the ball at the top of the circle and ripped a shot inside the left post for the goal.

• Sophomore Greta Plappert made it 2-1 on an unassisted goal with 22:50 left in the opening half to get York on the board. Plappert captured a deflected shot and finished the chance for her first goal of the game.

• The Falcons pushed the lead to 5-1 with three unanswered goals to end the first half. Logan Ryan, Kaylor Rosenberry and Gehman scored for Messiah as they took a commanding 5-1 lead to the break.

• York came out of the intermission a more confident squad as they took the play to the defending champs to open the second half. Freshman Dana Meehling notched a goal a mere 2:29 into the second half for York's second goal of the game. 

• Messiah answered with a Taylor Holt goal just over seven minutes later as the Falcons took a 6-2 lead with 25:49 left in the game.

• York got a second goal from Plappert as she stole the ball near the end line. She dribbled into the circle and fired a shot past goalie Shelby Landes, cutting the Spartan deficit to 6-3.

• Senior Beth Patrick notched her first goal of the season when she scored off a pass from Meehling with 7:32 left in regulation as the Spartans continued to take the play to the Falcons.

• York had a penalty corner with just under six minutes left in the game as they looked to close their deficit. They wouldn't be able to convert as the Falcons went down to the other end of the field and closed out the scoring with a Logan Ryan goal.

Spartan Leaders

• Greta Plappert: 2 goals, 3 shots, 2 shots on goal

• Beth Patrick: 1 goal, 1 shot on goal

• Dana Meehling: 1 goal, 2 assists

Messiah Leaders

• Carissa Gehman: 3 goals, 5 shots on goal

• Taylor Holt: 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 shots, 2 shots on goal

• Logan Ryan: 2 goals, 4 shots, 3 shots on goal

• Kaylor Rosenberry: 1 goal, 1 shot on goal

Goalie Comparison

Eve Hauptle (YCP): 70:00 minutes played, 7 goals against, 8 saves (Loss, 0-1)

Shelby Landes (MC): 56:13 minutes played, 3 goals against, 1 save (Win, 1-0)

Megan Bomba (MC): 13:47 minutes played, 1 goal against, 0 saves

She Said It

"I told the team afterwards that if we played the entire game the way we played the second half, it would have been a different result," said Spartan head coach Katie Fost. "I thought our second half effort was really good and I am proud of how we came back after a challenging first half. Obviously, Messiah is a very talented team who plays well at home. It was tough to fall down so quickly but I am proud that this team didn't pack it in. I was proud of the fight that they showed in the second half. We will get back to work tomorrow and prepare ourselves for Dickinson on Wednesday."

Notes

The four goals against the Messiah are the most goals the Falcons have given up since the November 15, 2015 NCAA Tournament game at TCNJ when the Lions downed Messiah 4-2 … The Spartans are now 4-10-3 all time against the Falcons as Messiah has won four straight in the series … it is the first game between the two teams since October 6, 2007 … sophomore Greta Plappert's two goals were a career high and matched her season output from her freshman year … senior Autumn Mallory now has 69 career points on 31 goals and 7 assists ... The Spartans outscored the Falcons 3-2 in the second half.

Up Next

The Spartans return to action on Wednesday, September 6 when they host Dickinson College in a non-conference contest. The game is set for a 6:00 pm start at the renovated Kinsley Field. The Spartans and Red Devils played a highly entertaining game last year in Carlisle as the Spartans won a 5-4 overtime thriller.