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Frederick, MD – Despite holding only a 1-0 lead after the first quarter, the Messiah College Falcons used a strong defensive effort to cruise to an 11-3 win on the road against the Hood College Blazers on Wednesday in Maryland.
Led by senior goalie
Steve Kozuhowski's eight saves and junior defensemen
Matt Danmyer's four caused turnovers, the visiting Falcons held the Blazers to just 18 shots and three goals to improve their record to 2-2 on the year.
The Falcons' offense couldn't find the net early and at times failed to keep possession as the team turned the ball over 13 times in the opening 25 minutes. Nevertheless, the defense stood strong in front of Kozuhowski, causing 14 turnovers of its own and succeeding on nine of their 12 attempted clears.
As a team, the Falcons scooped up 26 groundballs in the first half, nine more than the host Blazers.
The Falcons were held scoreless throughout the first stanza as well, until junior
Kevan Schellenberg netted his first of three goals on the day with just 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Schellenberg would find the net again to open the second quarter to put the visitors up 2-0.
The Falcons would go on to score five more goals, three of which from the stick of junior
Heath Kupecky, in the stanza as the defense continued to dominate the Blazers, holding them to just two goals before the break.
The third and fourth quarters brought more defense from the Falcons, as they added to their lead offensively.
Senior
Jared Nies caused multiple turnovers in the second half, including a well-timed check early in the fourth quarter that knocked the entire stick from the opposing player's hands.
The Blazers managed just five shots and 11 groundballs while turning the ball over 11 times in the game's final 30 minutes of play. The Falcons also held strong in the game's only man-down opportunity in the third with a nice save from Kozuhowski and a successful clear.
Schellenberg netted three goals and added two assists to bring his season points total to 14 (11g, 3a). Kupecky also added three goals to his season total bringing his season point total to 13 (8g, 5a).
Kozuhowski improved his season save total to 23 saves on 37 shots, a 62.2% save percentage.
The Blazers were led by Shawn O'Keefe's one goal-one assist performance in the losing effort. With the loss, Hood falls to 1-5 on the year.
The Falcons will return to Anderson Field Saturday March 10 to take on the Rosemont College Ravens. The opening face-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
