Box Score
Grantham, PA — First-year Messiah College women's lacrosse head coach Heather Greer picked up her first career victory Saturday afternoon, leading the Falcons to a 14-12 decision over neighboring rival York College.
If the rest of her career follows this type of path, however, she may need treatment for anxiety.
Messiah (1-1) collected its first win despite committing 11 second-half turnovers and witnessing a 13-9 lead dissipate into a 13-12 advantage late, hanging on in large part due to a spectacular game in goal from junior Jen Venter and a last-minute score from freshman Megan Bovenzi.
As the York sideline grew louder and louder during the Spartans' furious comeback, it was Greer's team that collected enough poise to hang on, winning a game on a wet and windy afternoon at Anderson Field.
"It was definitely a nail-biter for us today, but we are very excited to have our first home victory," Greer said afterward. "We still have work to do in a lot of areas, but the fact that we hung on against a very determined opponent is a starting point."
It seemed that Greer's squad would run away with things early, as Messiah captured a 5-0 lead just six minutes into the action. The Falcons won the game's first draw control and scored just moments into play, as senior Jessica Van Hook wrapped a shot past York goalie Anne Feustle.
As the Spartans adjusted their defense to take VanHook out of the game offensively, it was freshman Kara Geiman that came alive, scoring the Falcons' next two scores en route to a six-goal afternoon. Senior Bethany Moskevitz tallied an unassisted score next, while sophomore Betsy Caprio fed classmate Nikki Lawrence for another tally just three minutes later.
"The girls started out really strong, pushing the ball really hard," Greer said. "With Jess VanHook face-guarded for the entire game, Kara Geiman stepped up big for us and put away three goals in each half."
York pulled to a 5-3 score with just over two and a half minutes to play before the half, but Messiah would respond on a pair of unassisted scores — the first from junior Jackie Dando at the 2:28 mark and another from Geiman with 1:08 to play.
And while York would trade goals with Messiah for the opening seven and a half minutes of the second period, the Spartans' late run would nearly spell doom for the Falcons' home-opener. Five Messiah turnovers in the span of five minutes helped York pull within a 13-12 margin with 5:19 to play, and it was clear that the visitors had serious thoughts about completing the rally.
A huge save from Venter helped thwart those notions, however, as the junior goalie from Crownsville, Maryland ignited a transition that eventually led to the insurance score. Electing not to milk the clock, Bovenzi came in from the right side and buried the final score of the game with under a minute to play, providing the final 14-12 cushion.
Geiman led the squad with her six scores, while Dando carded three and Bovenzi two. Sophomore Betsy Caprio finished with two assists — as did Dando — while registering a team-high six draw controls. Bovenzi added four, while Caprio and senior Kirstyn Wheeler each caused four turnovers.
Venter provided another statistical gem in goal, netting 13 saves while registering a save percentage of 54 percent.
"Our defense played a solid, consistent game for the entire 60 minutes and Jen Venter came up with another impressive save percentage," Greer said. "Betsy Caprio was just amazing on the draw, gaining possession for us six times. Now we just have to work on better maintaining that possession on attack."
Things will only get tougher for Messiah next, as the team will travel to fourth-ranked Gettysburg College on Wednesday. Game time is set for 4 p.m.
