(box score)

Widener got off to a slow start and could not recover in a 19-10 Middle Atlantic Conference loss to Messiah at Edith R. Dixon Field.

Messiah (10-3, 8-1 MAC) grabbed a 9-4 halftime lead thanks to three goals from Maddie Comfort and two apiece from Rachel Dirksen and Megan Bovenzi.

Comfort finished with six goals, Dirksen had five and two assists with Bovenzi adding three goals.  Andrea Thomas ended with eight ground balls.

Senior Jackie Elliott (Upper Darby, PA) scored four goals and junior Calina Walz (Medford, NJ) had two for the Pride (8-5, 5-3).  Sophomore Linda Salcedo (Media, PA) closed with 13 saves.

Widener on Saturday continues its three-game homestand against Arcadia, beginning at 1:00 pm.