York, PA — A dominant possession game helped host York College to a 9-5 win over Messiah Wednesday afternoon, as the Falcons recorded just 25 total shots to the Spartans' 51 in the loss.
Messiah (2-2) struggled with the possession game all afternoon long despite a 16-23 advantage in face-offs, successfully clearing just 16 of 23 opportunities while turning the ball over 25 times.
“They're a good team and we weren't very good, and the combination of the two led to the loss,” said Geof Weisenborn, Messiah head coach.
Despite the final, lopsided statistics, it was the Falcons that got on the board first, as sophomore J.J. Miller scored an unassisted goal four minutes into the action. The face of the game would change almost immediately thereafter, however, as York (2-2) scored goals at the 6:33 and :44 marks of the first quarter. A man-up goal from senior Jeff Ziegler would tie the game just seconds before the first period buzzer sounded, but York would answer with two goals to start the second quarter to reclaim a 4-2 lead.
Freshman James Baden put one between the pipes with just 24 seconds left in the half to pull Messiah within a 4-3 deficit at the half, but York's continual possession was wearing on the Falcons.
That was apparent just 33 seconds into the third quarter, as Messiah was whistled for an offside infraction. York quickly advanced the ball into the Messiah defensive third. Senior goalie Greg Latimer was able to make a save on the ensuing Spartans' shot, but the ball deflected back into the goal off a fellow Messiah defender, giving York a 5-3 lead in lacrosse's version of an 'own goal.'
Things would only manifest from there, as a score from sophomore Pete Owens was sandwiched between three additional Spartans' tallies, giving York an 8-4 lead just minutes into the fourth quarter. Junior Brent Stewart was able to pull the Falcons within an 8-5 count with 7:05 remaining, but a lack of offensive control would prohibit Messiah from getting any closer: York's Mike LaRoque added an insurance goal just 45 seconds later, further sealing the deal.
Miller, Ziegler, Baden, Owens and Stewart each scored one goal in the defeat, with Baden dishing out two assists. Miller finished 9-13 in the face-off X, picking up a game-high nine ground balls. Steweart and junior Morgan Kupfer both scooped five ground balls, while Latimer finished with 19 saves in goal.
York was able to counteract its 6-18 overall effort in the face-off game with a 34-25 advantage in ground balls and a dominant possession game, controlling the ball for nearly three quarters of play by Weisenborn's estimation.
“We're learning from experience,” Weisenborn said. “York did some things to us that took us out of our offense. Our defense played well, but we gave up too many unsettled situations and second chances that York took advantage of.”
Receiving votes in the latest USILA Top 20 National Poll, Messiah will return to its home turf next, hosting Eastern University in a 4 p.m. start Saturday at Anderson Field. That contest will serve as the MAC opener for both clubs.
“They're a good team as well,” Weisenborn said. “It's our conference opener against a Christian college. It's big. Hopefully we'll get in some really good practices and go from there. We have to continue to improve. That is the biggest thing for our team right now.”
