GRANTHAM, Pa. – Haverford College's field hockey team hit the road Wednesday looking for an upset of 10th-ranked Messiah College but fell to the host Falcons, 3-0, in a non-conference battle under the lights at Anderson Field.

The Fords (2-3) clamped down in the defensive end during first-half action, limiting nationally-ranked Messiah (4-1) to a single goal on a tip-in from Rachel Cox in the 22nd minute.

The Falcons' attack wasn't able to find much more room in the second half as it clung to the tenuous one-goal advantage, but Celina Nissley broke through to push the Fords' deficit to two at the 43:29 mark.

Haverford's attack picked up over the final 35 minutes but the stretched-out offense was held at bay until the home team finally took advantage of the open spacing with a goal early in the 66th minute to ice the game.

Lindsey Lopes had a strong night between the pipes for Haverford, coming up with four saves in the loss. The defenders in front of Lopes helped limit the Messiah set pieces by allowing the Falcons to accumulate only five penalty corner chances. The Fords' attack notched three penalty corner opportunities.

Next up for Haverford is a home contest Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Fords welcome Stockton College for a non-conference game at Swan Field.