GRANTHAM, PA – The #24 York College Spartan field hockey team earned a hard fought 2-1 win at Messiah University on Wednesday afternoon in Grantham, PA.
Junior captain Olivia Miller netted the game-winner with just under eight minutes left in regulation to lift the Green and White to the big league win.
The Spartans are now 11-6 overall and 5-1 in the MAC Commonwealth. The Falcons stand at 9-7 overall and 5-1 in the league.
 
How It Happened
• The Falcons had the better of the play in the first quarter as they out-shot York 5-2 including 4-2 in shots on goal. Messiah had two corners in the opening 15 minutes of play.
• Both defenses settled in during the second quarter as offensive chances were harder to come by. The Spartans made their lone shot count with 34 seconds left in the opening half as they drew a penalty corner. Hannah Downs found Kate Egan at the top of the circle with her insert. Egan settled the ball inside the circle and ripped a shot into the goal for the 1-0 lead just before the half.
• The Falcons tied the game in the 40^th minute as Chelsea Carpenter collected a loose ball at midfield and drove right down the spine of the Spartan defense. She was able to sneak a shot past Spartan goalie Abby Smith, tying the game at one.
• York recaptured the lead in the 53^rd minute as York drew just their second penalty corner of the match. They again made the most of their opportunity as Sam Ward found Olivia Miller at the top of the circle. Miller unleashed a shot just to the right of goalie Joy Lippert as the Spartans took a 2-1 lead. The Falcons had a goal waved off with about four minutes left and Smith made a save with 40 seconds left to preserve the Spartan win.
• The Spartans were out-shot 17-4 in the game including 11-4 in shots on goal. The Falcons also held a 5-2 margin in penalty corners.
 
Spartan Notes
York is now 6-18-3 all-time against the Falcons but have won the last two match ups, both in Grantham … junior goalie Abby Smith posted a career-high 10 saves in the win for the Spartans … one game after piling up 28 corners against Hood, the Spartans had just two against the Falcons but York converted both chances into goals to earn the win … Kate Egan's goal was her third of the year while Olivia Miller's goal was also her third and her first game-winner of the year … York has won six of their last seven heading into Saturday's regular season finale … York improves to 6-2 away from Kinsley Field.
 
Up Next
The Spartans close out the 2025 regular season on Saturday when they travel to St. David's, PA to take on the Eastern University Eagles. The match is slated for an 11:00 am start.