One goal in the waning seconds of the first half was enough for Rowan to earn its first Division III Field Hockey Championship with a 1-0 win over Messiah November 23 at Springfield. The Profs capped off a perfect 21-0 season with the win.

"This is the greatest feeling in the world," said Rowan's Lindsay Hanson. "This is the most dedicated and hard-working team I have ever been a part of."

With 54 seconds remaining in a scoreless opening half, junior midfielder Michelle Thornton scored the game-winning goal on a penalty corner. Juniors Jackie Massara and Jess Wadleigh were credited with assists on the game-winning goal.

Messiah goalkeeper Erica Nelson registered eight saves for the Falcons, who were out-shot in the title game, 16-6. Rowan also dominated penalty-corner opportunities with 13 compared to Messiah's
seven.

Rowan defeated Salisbury in double overtime, 3-2, to advance to its first title game. Messiah (18-4), which defeated College of New Jersey, 1-0, in the semifinals, finished runner-up for the second straight season and fourth time in program history.

Thornton joined Rowan teammates Becky Peterson, Renee Phelps and Lindsay Hanson on the all-tournament team. Nelson, Brooke Good and Danae Chambers were honored from Messiah, along with Grace Rarich and Colleen Stamler from College of New Jersey and Lindsey Elliott and Lindsay Bard from Salisbury.

Semifinals

First half: R -- Becky Peterson (Beth Raleigh), 8:44; R -- Raleigh (Jammie Hicks), 33:18.

Second half: S -- Lindsey Elliott (Melissa Webster), 42:11; S -- Jessica Manzone (Erin Budd), 58:58.

Overtime: R -- Hicks, 85:13.

Shots: Salisbury 12, Rowan 19. Goalkeeper saves: Salisbury (Melissa Taylor) 11; Rowan (Christine Buteas) 5. Penalty corners: Salisbury 8, Rowan 17.

Second half: M -- Danae Chambers (Jenna Schwind), 60:42.

Shots: Messiah 9, Col. of New Jersey 8. Goalkeeper saves: Messiah (Erica Nelson) 4, Col. of New Jersey (Sara Bouroult) 8. Penalty corners: Messiah 9, Col. of New Jersey 4.

Championship

First half: R -- Michelle Thornton (Jackie Massara, Jess Wadleigh), 34:06.

Shots: Messiah 6, Rowan 16. Goalkeeper saves: Messiah (Erica Nelson) 8, Rowan (Christine Buteas) 4. Penalty corners: Messiah 7, Rowan 13.