Box Score
Annville, PA - The Messiah College Falcons found little offense on Saturday afternoon in Annville against conference foe Lebanon Valley College as they dropped a 12-6 decision to the host Dutchmen to fall to 2-4 in conference play.
Lebanon Valley (8-4, 3-2) scored six goals on both sides of the intermission as the Falcons (4-8, 2-4) managed just two tallies through the first thirty minutes for a 6-2 halftime score. An outburst of scoring in the fourth quarter-- three goals-- proved to be too little, too late for the Falcons as the six goal deficit opened up by the host was insurmountable.
Midfielder
Nate Nester led the Falcons with three goals while
Will Franken scored twice and added two assists.
Jon Weimer received the nod between the pipes and made 13 saves for the Falcons while taking the loss.
The Dutchmen received five points from attackman Alex Beard on four goals and an assist. Malik Pedroso scored three times which included his 100th career tally with his second goal of the game late in the second quarter.
The Falcons showed some life early in the second period after falling down 3-0 through one period with a two-goal run of their own but the hosts rattled off six straight goals to open up a 9-3 lead. The Falcons wouldn't get any closer.
The loss puts the Falcons in two mush-win situations headed into the final week of the season.
Upon first look, the Falcons have an opportunity to garner a playoff spot with two games remaining. A win against Albright College on Wednesday (4/24) and one Saturday (4/27) against Alvernia would place the Falcons at 4-4 on the season in the conference and in a good position to advance on to the postseason as five of the conference's nine teams get a chance at the postseason.
"[Lebanon Valley] came into this game just as desperate as we did needing a win to stay on pace for the conference playoffs," head coach Geof Weisenborn said following his team's fourth conference loss. "We still have a chance to get into the playoffs and that is our goal right now.
"We will get ready for Albright who is coming to our place to play Wednesday night," Weisenborn added. "I know our guys will be ready to leave it all out on the field for the next seven days."
The Falcons welcome the Lions to Grantham for the first time as Albright is in just their second NCAA season and their second in the MAC Commonwealth Conference. Wednesday's opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Anderson Field.
