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Grantham, PA – This was a game the Messiah College Falcons had been looking forward to since dropping a heartbreaking 11-6 loss to the Widener University Pride in the MAC Championship game last season.
Unfortunately, the Falcons were humbled Wednesday night at the hands of the Pride yet again, 13-7.
Unforced errors and defensive miscues plagued the Falcons throughout the game. Adding to the team's struggles, the offense was held scoreless in the third while the Pride netted five in the quarter to take control of the game, 11-4, heading into the final frame.
The Falcons sent a slew of shots towards the Pride keeper in the fourth, but managed to find the net just three times. Two early Widener goals in the fourth pushed their total to 13.
The Pride scored first in the game and never looked back, leading for the entirety of the contest.
Widener's leading scorer Josh Fox tallied the game's first goal midway through the first shortly after Pride goalie Mac Nestler stonewalled the Falcon's offense on its first two possessions of the contest.
After another save from the Widener keeper, the Pride offense capitalized again two minutes later as a miscommunication defensively left the Falcons down 2-0.
A great individual effort from senior James Baden started the scoring for the Falcons with 3:39 remaining in the first. The Pride again responded with two goals, pushing the lead to three before junior Heath Kupecky netted his first of the day with 0:17 remaining in the quarter.
The second quarter featured two goals from both squads. Kupecky and Baden each tallied again in the frame for the hosts and, despite a slow start, the Falcons were still within striking distance heading into the second half.
Injuries have inundated the Falcons all season and today's contest was no different. Faceoff middie Matt Emerson took a hard hit in the second and wouldn't return. Until that point, Emerson was 8-10 at the faceoff X, dominating for possessions time and time again. Without Emerson, possessions were difficult to obtain, noticeably in the third quarter.
The Pride scored seven unanswered goals, including five in the third, to open the second half, burying the Falcons' chances of winning. Six different players scored in the run for Pride, including two from midfielder Ryan Shewell.
The Falcons would add three late goals in a comeback attempt, but the game was just too far out of reach. Baden, leading-scorer Kevan Schellenberg and sophomore Nate Nester each tallied once in the fourth.
The Pride improved their conference record to 3-1 and 5-7 overall with the win.
The Falcons (6-6, 1-2 CC) dropped their third straight game and second straight in conference play. The team will look to keep their postseason hopes alive at home against Alvernia University on Saturday, April 21. The opening face is scheduled for 7 p.m.
