WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Messiah men's lacrosse team earned its first victory of the 2021 season on Saturday afternoon, a 9-4 road decision over Wilkes University. Junior attacker Sam Stone led the Falcons with a game-high five goals, as Aaron Shaw, Seth Libby, and Owen Joyce each contributed goals for Messiah. The Falcons never trailed the Colonels, leading by as many as four goals throughout the contest.

Messiah got on the board first from a man-up goal from Shaw to claim a 1-0 advantage at the 9:43 mark of the first quarter. Stone tallied his first of five goals at the 7:33 mark, while Joyce found the net with 5:16 remaining in the opening period. Leading, 3-0, the Falcons entered the second quarter of the game with a firm grasp on the game. Messiah registered three different scorers throughout the first quarter, with Joyce tallying his career goal as a Falcon.
 
Stone led the way for Messiah during the second quarter. The junior attacker netted two more goals, giving Messiah a 5-1 lead heading into halftime. The Colonels had just two shots on goal throughout the first half of play, as Stone's game-leading three goals upped his season total to five. The Falcons forced 15 Wilkes turnovers, more than double the amount that the visitors had throughout the opening half of play (7). Capitalizing on their man-up opportunities, Messiah notched two goals during the half in which they had a man advantage.

Messiah and Wilkes each tallied two goals during the third quarter, as the Falcons' goals came from Stone and Libby. Libby, also tallying his first career goal as a Falcon, notched his goal at the 6:32 mark of the third quarter.
 
The Falcons led, 7-3, heading into the final period of play. Stone's fifth tally of the afternoon came with 4:55 left on the clock, an unassisted effort to solidify the decisive 9-4 lead. The Falcons held on in the remaining five minutes, improving to 1-1 on the 2021 season. 
 
Joyce dished out two assists in addition to his goa, earning himself a career-high three-point performance. Stone converted 5-of-6 shots on goal, now leading the Falcons in goals scored with seven tallies. The Falcons scooped up 37 groundballs to the Colonels' 28, converting 9-of-17 (.529%) faceoff attempts

By winning its first-ever matchup with Wilkes, Messiah elevates its 2021 record to 1-1.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons (1-1) will be back in action at home on Wednesday, Mar. 17, a home contest opposite Albright College (0-1) on the Lacrosse Turf, beginning at 7:00 p.m.