Back And Forth Battle
Both teams traded blows early, scoring two goals each within the first 10 minutes of the game. Messiah captured an early 2-0 with tallies by Lilenthal and Hunter Bellows, both goals came off assists from Franken. An early extra man opportunity was given to the Blue Jays which paid off as Cody Richter found Mike Scrafano for the goal, his fourth of the season.

Four minutes later, Benjamin O'Connor of Elizabethtown leveled the game at 2-2. Andrew Watts started the scoring play, by breaking up a pass out of the back from Messiah's Evan Stoker. Wes Mills picked it up around the midfield line and found O'Connor who found the twine for the first period equalizer.

Gillisse regained the Falcons' lead a minute later, and Messiah ended the first quarter with a 3-2 advantage. The Blue Jays took control of the game following the first quarter break, rocketing off four-straight goals to give Elizabethtown a 6-3 lead with four minutes left of the opening half.

The Falcons pulled within two with just a minute remaining before the break, getting one back late in the quarter after a strong ride forced a failed a clear. Gillisse made the turnover count for the Falcons and brought Messiah back within 6-4 by the break.

Messiah's 5-1 Push Out Of Halftime
The Falcons took control in the early moments of the second half, scoring two within the first two minutes of the quarter. Those two tallies from Gillisse and Franken tied the game at 6-6. The Blue Jays responded with a goal of their own, to take the lead back at 7-6.

Then it was Messiah's turn to counter, with Franken notching consecutive man-up goals just 26 seconds apart. The goals were Franken's 12th and 13th of the season and pushed Messiah back in front at 8-7 with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Liam Lilienthal added a third-straight goal for the Falcons a minute and a half later and Messiah matched their largest lead of the game at 9-7 with 3:45 remaining in the third.

The Jays ended the period with a tally from Mike Scarano with only three seconds left, cutting the Falcons lead to one heading to the final period.

Blue Jays Finish Strong
The Blue Jays tied the game up for the fourth time at 9-9 early in the fourth period with a goal by Scott Nizolak. The tally was part of a 5-0 run for Elizabethtown that lasted more than nine minutes.

After the Blue Jays' run, Messiah trailed by three with under five minutes remaining. The Falcons pressured Elizabethtown in the last five minutes, scoring two goals with Franken and Lilienthal findging the back of the net in the final four minutes. The late rally came up just short as Elizabethtown was able to take time off the clock late and hold off the Messiah attack.

Beyond The Box Score
It was an even game across the boards with both teams recording 40 shots with 24 attempts on goal. Elizabethtown was dangerous on extra-man opportunities today as they went 2 for 3 while the Falcons finished 2 for 6.

Leading the Falcons with 14 ground balls, Lucas Honebrink went 21 for 27 on the faceoff circle. Honebrink tied his season-high ground balls total with the Southern Virginia game.

Franken recorded his second game this year with seven points. Gillisse posted his season-high goals with three including Lilenthal added his season best of three goals and assists.

Goalkeeper Evan Stoker stopped 12 of his 40 shots he faced today.

What's Up Next
The Falcons travel to Goucher College for a weekday matchup on Wednesday, Mar. 6 at 7 p.m.