Messiah ends field hockey’s run, 5-2

Going into the NCAA tournament, the women’s field hockey team had an ODAC Championship under their belts, but facing rival Messiah in the second round of play proved to be too much to overcome.

Messiah overtook the Royals with a final score of 5-2, scoring all of their goals in the second half. The offensive momentum favored Messiah throughout the game as they out-shot EMU 33 to 8.

Going into halftime, however, the Lady Royals registered the first goal of the game when senior Kristin Moyer scored off an assist from Jonalyn Denlinger. Moyer would add another goal just seconds after Danae Chambers scored Messiah’s second goal of the game. The rest of the game would favor Messiah as they scored three goals within just over four minutes.

EMU goalkeeper Emily Chamelin registered nine saves during the match, but the defensive effort was not enough to regain control of the game. The Royals’ season ended with a record of 17-4 overall, and they finished with a national ranking of eighth in Division III.

Moyer was named ODAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, and head coach Brenda Bechler shared the title of Coach of the Year with Virginia Wesleyan’s Chrissy Clancy. Denlinger and Moyer were both named to the All-ODAC first team, with Lisa Ehst named to the second team and Ashley Byler and Kristie Souder receiving honorable mentions. Moyer was also named as an ODAC Fall-Scholar Athlete. Moyer set a single season record at EMU for goals, as she registered 32 throughout the season, and she finished second for career goals, with a respectable 92. She also led the NCAA Div. III in goals scored, as well as points.

Though the season ended with a loss, the accolades and recognition that the Lady Royals received throughout the season should prove the season as a whole to be a success.