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Grantham, PA - After taking what was a 7-3 lead into halftime, the Messiah College Falcons found themselves on the trailing side of a 10-8 score heading into the fourth quarter Wednesday night against Marymount University.

Two quick goals-- one apiece from seniors Kyle Sproles and Heath Kupecky-- knotted the score at 10 with just over ten minutes remaining. A goal from freshman Tyler Goglio put the Falcons ahead for good with 9:30 remaining in the contest en route to a 13-11 win for the hosts.

Sproles posted a game-high five points on two goals and three assists, followed by Andrew Harris' (1g, 2a) three point performance. In all, ten Falcon players tallied in the win.
 
The Saints were led in scoring by junior Vince Lodato who scored twice and added helpers on two others.

The Falcons' offense, one game removed from putting up their lowest scoring total in two full seasons, found their rhythm early, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead on goals from Kupecky and fellow senior Kevan Schellenberg. But as would be the case for much of the contest, the Saints would respond with a goal run of their own, knotting the game at two just over three minutes later.

With the score tied at two and momentum seemingly in favor of the Saints, Falcons' goalie Jon Weimer came up with a big save on a shot from the doorstep just 17 seconds into the frame. A successful clear-- a strong point for the Falcons in the contest-- led to a solid offensive possession. Shots from multiple Falcons players during the possession were warded off by opposing goalie Derek DiGiovanni, but the Falcons' attackmen caused a turnover on the Saints' clearing attempt. Andrew Johnson capitalized on the turnover, taking a strong dodge across the top of the box, finishing a hard right-handed shot for the 3-2 lead.

The goal turned out to be the first of a five-to-one run for Falcons over the remainder of the period. Freshman LSM Chris Ruger picked up a groundball off the faceoff by Matt Emerson and took the ball to the net unassisted just 13 seconds following the Johnson tally. Sproles, Harris and junior Brian Meenan would each add a goal to finish out the stanza.

The five-goal second period by the Falcons would be answered by a seven-goal third from the visitors starting with a tally from Jimmy Wendell just 29 seconds into the frame. With the score still in favor of the Falcons at 8-7 and 4:59 remaining in the third period, the Saints needed just 55 total seconds to score three goals and put the Falcons down by two.

But following the underlying theme in the contest, the Falcons responded with a string of unanswered goals of their own.

After controlling the quarter's opening faceoff and gaining possession offensively, the Falcons sent a barrage of shots towards the Saints' net-- 15 in all in the quarter. Sproles would cash in on his second goal of the contest to get the scoring started in the fourth, burying a left-handed shot from the alley, pulling the hosts to within one. Sproles would again have a hand in a Falcons goal, this time dodging to his right, drawing two defenders, and dishing to Kupecky for the open shot and score on a man-up opportunity.

With the score tied at 10 and a little over ten minutes remaining, the Falcons' defense dug in its heels. Freshman Cody Rogers created a turnover on the Saints' next offensive possession and fellow freshman Tyler Goglio converted in the offensive end to put the Falcons ahead. Two more goals-- one each from Nate Nester and Will Franken-- put the Falcons ahead by three, which would prove to be enough.

Messiah improves to 1-1 overall with the win. Freshman T.J. Cole collected his first career win while posting five saves and allowing just one goal in a relief effort.

Marymount, after opening their season 1-0, drops to 1-1 following the loss. DiGiovanni collected 13 saves for the Saints.

The Falcons will return to action on Saturday in Collegeville, Pa. as they travel to take on Ursnius College at 1 p.m

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