Box Score
Grantham, PA – Led by
Steve Kozuhowski's strong showing in cage, the Messiah College Falcons held onto a much needed 9-8 win over the visiting Whittier College Poets on a brisk evening at Anderson Field.
The Falcons, who suffered a 14-6 loss at Eastern University less than a week ago, returned to the defensive prowess they have become accustomed to in downing the Poets.
The defensive unit, coming off a game in which they allowed eight more goals than their season average, held strong throughout the first half.
Senior goalie
Steve Kozuhowski had his strongest game of the season, posting an astounding 21 saves on the night. Kozuhowski and the Falcons' defense came out strong, limiting the visitors to just one first half goal, despite the Poets putting nine shots on net.
The offense rewarded the defense's effort by jumping out to a 4-0 lead after one quarter.
Junior
Matt Emerson (16-21 face-offs) had another strong game to gain possession for the Falcons time and time again.
Junior
Kyle Sproles started the scoring at the 11:58 mark of the first with a well-placed shot to beat the Poets' keeper Robert Bazlen off-hip.
Kevan Schellenberg netted his team-leading 23rd goal of the season less than a minute later.
Despite giving up some extended possessions to the Poets, the defense and Kozuhowski stood strong to push the ball back to the offensive end. Junior
Heath Kupecky and freshman
Ryan Mayer each added goals in the first to take the 4-0 lead into the second.
The Poets' Hunter Hall finally squeaked a shot passed Kozuhowski with 4:35 remaining in the half.
The Falcons' offense responded, though, with goals from Sproles and senior
James Baden to close the half, sending the host in to the break with a 6-1 lead.
Kozuhowski headed into the second half with eight saves, and it turned out he would need 13 more to keep his team on the winning side of the ball.
The third quarter is one the Falcons' would likely want back. The Falcons allowed five goals on 11 shots, turned the ball over five times, committed three penalties, and failed two clears.
Heading into the final 15 minutes of play, the Falcons watched a 6-1 lead diminish to just one goal.
Kozuhowski proved he was up to the challenge to keep his team in this game.
“After losing to Eastern, I knew I didn't want to feel like that again,” the first-year starter said. “I felt like the ball was the size of a soccer ball tonight. I give a lot of credit to our guys- if I didn't have them out in front of me, playing so well, we couldn't have won this [game].”
Kozuhowski stopped seven more shots in the fourth stanza to finish with 21 on the night.
The offense extended the lead to 9-6 early in the quarter. Schellenberg netted his 24th of the season, second of the night, and the game-winner with 13:42 remaining in the game.
The defense proved to be a strength yet again holding a 9-7 lead late into the game's final minutes.
An offensive miscue, however, turned the ball over to the Poets with less than 1:30 remaining. Daniel McQuade slipped passed the defense and found a kink in Kozuhowski's armor to pull the visitors within one at the 0:47 mark.
Emerson proved vital again, gaining possession for the Falcons on the ensuing faceoff to allow the hosts to run out the clock.
The Poets, on an East Coast swing for spring break, fall to 1-2 on their trip, heading into their final game of the swing against Cabrini College on Saturday. Their overall record falls to 5-3.
The Falcons improved to 5-3 on the season heading into their Commonwealth Conference opener against Lebanon Valley College on April 5th. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.
